Artist Transformed A Damaged Tree Into A 50-Feet Tall Hand Sculpture


Artist Simon O’Rourke gives a new life to the damaged tree through his art–– by making a massive sculpture of a hand emerging from the tree stump reaching towards the sky. He titled this sculpture ‘Giant Hand of Vyrnwy‘. This hand sculpture measures 50 feet tall.

hand sculpture from damaged palm tree

Simon O’Rourke

At first glance, it looks like any other tree, but as you gaze up, a hand emerges out of the tree’s stump with its palms facing towards the sky as if it is trying to touch the clouds.

hand sculpture

Simon O’Rourke

This tallest tree of wales was damaged by a storm. The tree was anyways going to be cut down, so the Natural Resource of Wales was planning on commissioning an artist to carve it.

Simon explains on his website that, “I found out through a friend that the tallest tree in Wales had been storm damaged and was due to be felled, and that Natural Resource of Wales, who was in charge of the site, were going to commission an artist to carve the tree.”

“I searched the internet for the right person to talk to, and on finding them, I got permission to submit a design!”

I was really excited at the prospect of carving this giant tree and creating a memorial for such a well known landmark!

It took 6 days of hard work, the right tools, and a strong work ethic to craft such an impressive piece. “Six days of intense work followed using chainsaws and grinders. I needed to add two pieces for the thumb and little finger, as the tree wasn’t wide enough to form the whole hand.”

treecarving/facebook

treecarving/facebook

hand sculpture

treecarving/facebook

This incredible artwork reminded the artist that “just how small we are compared to some of the living organisms on this planet! All in all, a humbling experience!”

This sculpture is a fitting reminder of the tree.

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