IAN SWIFT

Wood sculptor Ian Swift has been honing his craft for 20 years. His current work includes many "pets", mainly dogs, going about their daily lives. He was inspired to make these pet sculpture after he adopted Jack, his Blue Heeler dog.

Ian uses recycled materials including commonly discarded items such as coat-hangers, furniture legs, buttons, pegs, hatstand pieces, wooden industrial moulds and patterns. He says old timber has a feeling of history which is reborn using his skills.

Ian usually begins making a pet by finding a piece of furniture or architectural moulding that suggests a head or body, and then adds features and personality as he goes.