Wood arts represent the connection between man and nature. It can be said that since humans had been starting to make tools, the relationship between man and wood has been started and still continues.
Wood is a natural material that is abundant in different parts of our planet and is one of the materials used by early humans. Humans always have provided an important part, or at least one part of their needs, through this material.
Wood is an easy material to be converted to dimensions and designs. It does not transfer heat, and it is cheaper than other materials. It is also a good arena for the talent, creativity, and art of artists in different ways.
One of the disadvantages of wood is that it will be rotten and destroyed over time. In spite of this problem that wood is sensitive to atmospheric agents and other environmental factors such as the attack of fungi and insects, a considerable part of artworks in history are wood products and related arts.
In this article, we have tried to introduce all the arts related to wood in the world.
Many wood arts have the same base in different countries but their names are different.
Therefore we have tried to categorize all these wood arts which are similar in separate categories.
Lichtenberg Wood Burning eBook
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One of the modern techniques for creating wooden artwork is called Lichtenberg wood Burning. In this eBook, we are going to introduce this newfound art to you.
This technique is known with some different names such as Lichtenberg wood burning, fractal wood burning, and electricity wood art.
This technique should not be confused with wood burning art or pyrography. The art of pyrography on wood is the art of creating motifs and designs by burning with hot metal tools on objects such as wooden surfaces.
Lichtenberg burning is a wood-burning technique for creating designs with electricity.
This eBook is a comprehensive guide on Lichtenberg Wood Burning. All you need to know for Lichtenberg Wood Burning is here.
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Definitely, this list is not complete, but it covers a large part of the wood arts in the world.
History of Wood Arts
When Was The First Use of Wood?
Most researchers believe that humans knew the wood since the beginning of their lives on earth and used it in different ways.
If we look at the Museum of Natural Sciences in London, we’ll find that humans had been hunting about 10,000 years ago with wooden spears.
It can be said that in the past in Egypt, the wood industry has progressed more than the other places.
The Egyptian people knew the way of using wood, and in 3200 BC they built wooden fences around their homes.
Take a Look at the History of Wood Usage in the World
Since the first use of metal and stone, the wood industry has developed a lot. The woods were used in the making of beds and coffins.
At present, many examples of ancient woodwork are kept at the Louvre Museum in Paris and the London Museum.
Knowing them can help determine the progress of the wood industry in the world.
Many different nations have realized the importance of wood due to their progress.
In addition to Egypt, since 1300 BC in China, the value of wood was well known. That being said, for those who cut trees a heavy punishment was imposed.
In ancient Iran, according to Roman Ghirshman writings (French archaeologist), Iranians had been using wood to build houses around 4200 BC.
In ancient Greece, the wood industry was widely used to make beds and tables. The importance of wood for the Greeks was so much that, according to national legends, they thought that every tree was guarded by an angel. So that by cutting the tree, that angel would also be killed. Therefore, if they needed to cut a tree, they have had to sacrifice for it 🥵.
In Rome, the wood has had a special value, and even the Romans have sufficient knowledge of the principles of forestry. After the birth of Christ, the expansion of the wood industry continued in Europe.
In the Indian subcontinent, from the earliest times of the past to the present day, wood had been played an important role. Wood arts are still very popular in India.
In Indonesia, from ancient times, they have used different types of wood for making idols, statues, and engraving works.
In Australia and France, also there had been attention & focus on wood. The production of all types of Louis-style furniture made of wood is one of France’s iconic art.
However, by reviewing the industry and the wood arts in different countries of the world, it can be said that wood is one of the most important materials that has had a great influence on the industrial and artistic progress of various communities.
The Difference In Wood Properties And Their Uses
There are different species of trees in the whole world, each having unique characteristics.
These characteristics vary & greatly depending on the climate of the region, the type of soil, the height of the sea, the type of cover, and the type of forest in which it grows.
These differences have a direct impact on the wood properties during the years of their growth as a tree.
The presence of different physical and chemical characteristics creates a variety of woods that can make a difference in the color, texture, density, and in general, its operation.
Awareness of these qualities and details is essential for proper and accurate work with wood.
If we begin to work and construct different wooden structures with little information from this creature, there will be many problems during the progress of different projects.
These problems may pose serious risks when working with different machines.
It can be said that wood arts are formed based on the needs of woodworkers, and the capabilities of the woods of any area of the planet.
Although there’s a comprehensive guide if we want to look in detail, the result will give us an understanding of why is there a difference between wood arts in different countries.
Anyway, the daily use of wood, especially its uses in the arena of art, is increasing day by day. And humans know far more and more than in the past 😎.
Types of Wood Art
What is Wood Art?
Wood art is actually the use of wood to make wooden things that can have a practical or decorative aspect.
The sculptures, dishes, wooden jewelry, wood wall projects, and abstract decorative things are the most popular wooden arts.
Also, the use of wood to make musical instruments is very common.
Wood art besides being very interesting, also creates many challenges for artists and craftsmen.
Wood should be treated and may be exposed to decay and insect damage.
Often, learning woodworking skills is essential for the creation of outstanding works in the field of wood arts.
Woods art artists also use different techniques and tools to achieve optimal results.
Usually, there are many fans in wood natural color and texture, however, the painting of wooden artwork is very common.
In short, if you use wood as the base of artwork, you enter the world of wood arts.
Categories of Wood Art
In general, it can be said that what is known as wood arts falls under the woodworking art category in most countries.
Note that all wood-related industries that may not have an artistic aspect are in the other category we call carpentry.
In fact, it can be said that every artistic work related to wood is a woodworking’s art, but any woodworking product is not wood artwork.
For example, framers are not artists, and their work like building a roof cannot be counted as wooden artwork.
Types of wood art can be categorized according to different factors.
In different countries, wood arts have different types.
These wood arts have similarities and differences. But wood arts can be classified in terms of various factors such as technique, function, material, and aesthetics.
Based on what was said Wood arts are typically sorted into four basic types:
- The arts created by engraving and carving on the wood
- The arts that make up the design and illustration of the wood
- The arts created by woodturning techniques
- Arts that involves sticking pieces of wood to each other
The First Category of Wood Arts, The Art Created by Engraving and Carving on the Wood
This category of wood arts is very old and is available in all countries.
In this type of art, wood is carved and shaped by a sharp tool to produce the final product.
The final product usually has a volume and is three-dimensional.
This art is known by different names in different countries. The arts in this category are commonly known as wood carving art.
Chip Carving Art
Chip carving art is a wood carving technique in Germany, where knives or chisels are used to remove small wood chips from a flat surface in a piece.
This method has probably entered this field from engraving on metal.
This method is used in the manufacture of wooden jewelry and dishes with intricate designs.
In this art, the artist first draws a geometric design with details on the wood and then picks up additional parts of the design with a knife.
African Wood Art
African wood art is one of the methods of engraving on wood, which is common throughout the African continent.
In this art, ebony wood is used.
Carvings are representing tribal myths and stories.
Like much African art, it is characterized by its beautiful, simple elongated curves and lines.
The Second Category of Wood Arts, The Arts that Make up the Design and Illustration on the Wood
This category of wood art is done in a variety of ways, but in all of them, the artist’s purpose is to create a drawing or painting on a wooden surface.
The arts in this group are as follows:
- Wood painting art
- Wood burning art (pyrography art)
- Wood electricity art or Lichtenberg art (fractal wood burning)
- Sandblasting wood art
The Third Category of Wood Arts, The Arts Created by Woodturning Techniques
Woodturning art is the art of turning and shaping the wood due to the rotational movement of the machine.
Every wood can be used in this art but usually, woods to be used include walnut wood, elmwood, alder wood, ash wood, oak wood, sycamore wood, whitewood, and alder.
Producing products such as hookah body, chess set, wooden dishes, furniture base, sofa and chair base, pip and other projects are the subject of this art.
The Fourth Category of Wood Arts, Arts that Involves Sticking Pieces of Wood to Each Other
The arts in this category are as follows:
- Intarsia wood art
- Geometric wood art
- Lath art
- Driftwood art
- Wood mosaic art
- Reclaimed wood wall art
- wood inlay art
- marquetry
- kumiko woodworking
Wood Kinetic Art
Kinetic art is an idiomatic term for moving wooden structures that are moving.
This artwork is a combination of woodworking art and mechanical engineering.
In this art, moving various components of work is done through steam, or clockwise turning; by utilizing natural phenomena such as wind or wave power; or by relying on the spectator to provide the motion, by doing something such as cranking a handle.
No electric power is used. Wood Kinetic arts can be abstract sculptures or geometric shapes.
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