About the Artist

Des McKenna O.A.M – Woodcarver & Sculptor

Des McKenna and his wife Carmel now live in Malmsbury in Central Victoria after
having spent more than 30 years living in the hills of Upper Beaconsfield in Victoria, Australia. There they had raised a family of eleven many of whom are practising artists.
A food technologist by profession Des spent most of his "working life" in the food industry
in managerial positions with one of the world's largest multinational food groups.

Opting for early retirement in 1986 he decided to take up woodworking as a hobby as in
his early years he had made some of the furniture for the family home. It did not take long before his life-long love of nature and art and his developing skills led to his production of some remarkable works. The encouragement of his wife Carmel saw him present some sculpture to a local art gallery which was just opening and its acceptance and subsequent sales was the beginning of a remarkable new career. Des's work is now exhibited in
many galleries around Australia and in many overseas collections.

The timber Des uses - fallen timber from the forest floor taken with a permit - is mostly
River Red Gum and Black Box [Swamp Gum] collected from the Murray River area in North Western Victoria. Many of Des's smaller and medium sculptures are made from recycled timber such as old River Red Gum fence posts and house stumps. Des also has a fascination with Huon Pine which he uses for his many religious sculptures .

Des is a member of the Victorian Woodworkers Association and regularly exhibits with them and other high quality woodwork exhibitions. Some of Des's major sculptural works on public view can be seen under "Commissions". In a very busy life Des has always found time for community work and for this was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1992.

Des really enjoys his work and most days, even weekends if allowed, can be found in his studio producing some work of art. His sculptures have such a fine finish or patina that you will find it impossible not to caress them at every available opportunity. Indeed Des actively encourages his clients to do so as he feels the experience is therapeutic for the " toucher " and good for the sculpture as it leaves on it small amounts of body oils.

Rather than produce sculpture with minute detail carved into it Des prefers his work to capture the essence of the subject and its natural rhythm and grace. He achieves this to
such an extent that all his works seem to be moving and give great pleasure to those
who are viewing them.

In his travels in the Australian bush Des is always on the lookout for that special piece of wood and has the imagination to see in a rough piece the ultimate possibilities which exist
in it for his creativity.

Australian timbers have been subjected to much hardship in their harsh environment and therefore have in their structure many subsequent "faults " which Des enjoys incorporating
in his final creations which adds to their beauty, uniqueness and charm. Des believes that you should always be able to enjoy the feel of his timber finish and he ensures that the only thing between you and the timber surface is wax which protects the surface and enhances your enjoyment of it.