Tony Griffiths Carvings

Tony Griffith brought in a selection of his carvings including an almost life size self portrait.

After a career in teaching , Tony earned his living as a model maker for such high profile museums as Eureka (Halifax) and Jorvik (York ).   He was the craftsman working with an artist who produced the drawings and designs.   When the financial world crashed in 2008, they had enough work to keep them going till 2015.   Then he had to decide on his future, chose retirement, and started carving.

He is a self taught carver and started with scratch carvings based on of 2D Viking images.

Carved on logs intended for the fire.

He went on to more traditional carving and included some beaten copper for the helmet.

Wiglaf of Mercia

When he progressed to 3D carvings he found it much more difficult than 2D.     His model making experience suggested subjects that tell a story from history or fantasy.

The “Hunting a Baslish” is in Lime and Mahogany.   The hood was made in two pieces so that the lime head could be fitted in.   The arms were carved separately.

Hunting a Baslish

With “Men in Trenchcoats”  Tony wanted to have a light through the sculpture to give it an eerie effect

Men in Trenchcoats

The self portrait is carved from oak floorboards laminated to create the required shoulder width.   The detail put into the finishing is amazing, reproducing the pattern of the shirts material.