A large-scale wood sculpture was created outside of the Figge Art Museum.
For the past month, Irish wood artist, Liam O'Neill has been turning a tree trunk into a wooden throne. O'Neill transformed the outside of the Figge into his own woodshop, complete with a woodturning lathe he constructed out of concrete. He used to use chainsaws, sandblasting, and torching to turn the locally sourced tree trunk into a six-foot-long sculpture.
O'Neill began wood-turning in Ireland while under an apprenticeship. In 1984, he earned a scholarship to travel and study with American wood turners. Since, he has exhibited his work throughout the United States, earning international acclaim.
The Figge held an unveiling for the finished sculpture took place on Sunday. Visitors had the opportunity to meet the artist and view the wooden throne.