Henry’s narrative wood carvings invoke a world far from home

Today we’re talking to woodcarver Henry Neville, who infuses narrative into his detailed wood carvings to give them a mysterious, other-worldly feel.

Read the full interview below, and be sure to follow Henry on Instagram to see more of his work!

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What do you make? What do you consider your best or favorite work?

I make sculptures using traditional green wood working techniques, mostly with just an axe, saw, knife and gouges.

I like to make up short open narratives and then create work around them. Currently I’m working on a project called ‘We went to Mars and it was a disaster’. It ties into my interest with future space industries and the possibility of colonising and terraforming other planets.

I don’t particularly have a favourite, although these two astronauts I completed recently are very pleasing. They represent two of the crew members trying to terraform the Red planet.

I love imagining their different functions, and although it’s not immediately apparent the individualised suits and helmets give away slight hints. 

Tell us about your workshop

My workshop is a big piece of linen. I lay it on the floor to catch wood chips and do all the work whilst on a little wooden chair. Because of a lack of space and no workbench I have had to figure out how to work from my lap.

On nice days I go and sit in an allotment up the road where I can axe out rough shapes amongst kale and courgette plants.

How long have you been doing your craft? Who taught you or where did you learn?

I started carving ten years ago, then went on to work for a lovely old French Canadian woodworker named Pierre on an Island in the Swedish Archipelago. 

Read also: 12 essential woodworking tools for beginners: Start your woodshop right

Afterwards I set up a homeware workshop in Melbourne before returning back to London. I’m mostly self taught, working it out as I go. 

Any advice for beginners to your craft?

Carving and beers always ends in tears. 

Who/what inspires you? Any shoutouts to fellow makers?

I’m constantly inspired by what I find in museums, a recent trip to the Capitoline Museum blew my mind.

Also just getting out into Nature, I’m a country boy living in the city so to return to the woods or the sea is nice.

As for carvers, currently I am following Taku Obata, who carves these really fantastic futuristic b-boys and Aleph Geddis, a master of shape and form.

I’m also working on a fun project with @hijadenada who makes wonderful hats and working on some brushes with the brilliant @grainandknot. 

Anything else you’d like to share?

I just got back from an attempt to cycle from Sicily back to London.  Along the way I picked up a ton of materials and saw some incredible things that are beginning to inspire my work.

My favourite finds are a piece of maple from outside Rome and a beautiful piece of granite from the top of a Swiss mountain.

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Find and follow more of Henry’s work on his Instagram feed.