Simon O'Rourke
Chainsaw-weilding artist
My work involves turning tree trunks, stumps, and storm-felled timber into sculptures that (hopefully) make people stop, smile, and sometimes even wonder if they’re blinking at a bear carved out of oak.
I originally trained as an illustrator, but after a stint as a tree surgeon, I had the bizarre idea to combine both loves. In 2005 I picked up a chainsaw and realised it could do a lot more than just fell trees. Fast forward a couple of decades and I’ve created sculptures all over the UK and abroad—from mythological creatures and story trails to the occasional (and very large) disembodied hand.
Watch my interview here.
You might know me from the “Giant Hand of Vyrnwy”, a tribute to a fallen tree in Wales that gained more fans than I could ever have expected. Since then, I’ve carved for public parks, private collectors, community art trails, and even the odd competition or TV appearance.
When I’m not carving, I’m usually chatting timber, sketching, or sharing tips on YouTube and Instagram. I believe in using what nature gives us—even if that’s a tree that’s come down in a storm—and turning it into something that lasts a little longer.
