Born in Sunlight

Materials: Walnut, basswood, gold leaf, walnut veneer, patinated copper
Dimensions: 22 × 22 × 9 cm
Techniques: Slow whittling, frame making, gilding, forging, patinating

Beauty can be found in unexpected places, even among the everyday abundance of a market stall. What first drew my attention was the remarkable form of a pepper. Its complex form and sculptural presence invited a translation into wood.

Carved from basswood and covered in gold leaf, the form takes on an almost monumental presence despite its modest scale. The hand-forged stem is finished with a rich green patina, introducing depth and contrast while allowing the gilded form to remain the focal point. Together, these materials elevate an ordinary subject into something timeless and contemplative.

Presented within a handcrafted walnut frame, the piece brings together several disciplines: woodworking, sculpture, metalwork, forging and gilding. In Born in Sunlight, an everyday form is transformed through craftsmanship and material into an object that invites closer observation and renewed appreciation.

Photos: Paul Driessen