This one-of-a-kind abstract sculpture is a testament to Oregon’s natural beauty and the power of artistic reclamation. The centerpiece is a hand-carved rootball, personally foraged from under 3 feet of water, and partially buried under other rocks and logs in the Siletz River. It has been meticulously carved, sanded to 1000 grit, and finished in a rich, gold-infused resin that highlights its complex, gnarled textures. It stands elevated on a polished Big Leaf Maple Burl base, a highly sought-after wood known for its intricate "eyes" and swirling grain patterns. The juxtaposition of the dark, metallic resin with the warm, organic maple creates a striking "found-prized golden treasure" aesthetic that bridges the gap between nature and high-end abstract art. This is also a John David original piece from his collection (Oregon Past and Present). It is also one of his earlier works, which makes it a highly prized piece in the art community. Due to John’s idea to torn a rootball that started out huge at the top of the Siletz river, and threw years of storms got ground down to this size you see before you, as it tumbled down the river, to end up being one of this artists first signature pieces to help begin his career. It’s a truly amazing story and a real piece of reclaimed history of a once huge big leaf maple Burl got minimized by the extreme forces of Mother Nature down to this small piece, and turned into a modern abstract piece forever saving it as the last small piece of that tree that is now left for future generations to enjoy.

Artist Statement: I personally believe in karma. Because I must have done one or two good things in my past to be given the chance to find this piece. I kayaked over it numerous days before I spotted it. The first day I could not get it to budge from under 3 feet of water & roots stumps, and rocky gravel, that was locking it in place, not to mention the joy of some pretty fast moving river water. I had been a little down with the stresses of life in the weeks leading up to finding this rootball. So on that first day when I had found something that I thought was pretty cool, but could easily be just a rotten dirty root. I came so close to giving up on it, as I was more than a bit down in the first place. But then I saw it as a challenge. If I could get it up, and out of their maybe some positive karma might come my way, and things might get better if I could just get that darn thing out of the river. I had to do a little engineering and flat out really hard work to cut pry and drag this piece from its watery final resting spot the next day and get it into my kayak and paddle my jolly way back to my truck. A lot of things had to go very right, which they did and I got it home and begin the real work. I would rather not say how many days, turning into to weeks went into this carve. But when you get driven, and there is seeming to be a faint light at the end of the tunnel telling you things are going to get better, if I would just keep busting my you know what. Anyway this is not just a piece to me, it was a point in my life where things turned around and I started to win again. So no matter what is happening in your life, get out there, keep working hard, and just give it a little time for that good old karma to start kicking in.

Artist: John David

Category: Sculpture

Year: 2023

Dimensions: 29” high / 13” wide / 10” long

Signed: Artist signed, dated, + makers mark

Inventory ID: #2000