Kiwi-Based Artist Carves Intricately Beautiful Scenes of Kenya’s Majestic Nature on Wood

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Kenya-born and New Zealand-based artist Gordon Pembridge have been lucky enough to have a lifelong relationship with nature.

Having to live and experience the African wilderness, along with many an adventure in the bush, Pembridge has developed a passion for natural history.

He often looks to his surroundings for inspiration, which has culminated in an oeuvre that incorporates the elements of natural history and portrayals of local wildlife.

Gordon now works for himself and is involved in graphic design, fine art, illustration, photography, 3D design, and woodturning.

Pembridge gets most of his timber from storm-felled trees and shapes it with a lathe, yet the real magic takes place when he meticulously hand-carves incredibly detailed natural and wildlife life scenes with a high-speed engraver.

What do you think about his Kenya Wilderness Art on Wood? Let us know in the comments below.

Tsavo Sunset

Tsavo Sunset - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9725
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Size: 240mm diameter by 230mm in height / Wood: Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) / Finish: Artists acrylics and Lacquer

The stunning and evocative beauty of African wildlife in amongst the Tsavo baobabs at sunset.

Bathed in the warm comforting glow the African wildlife depicted in this piece move restlessly looking for a drink before the drama of the African night arrives, accompanied with its relentless uncertainty.

Arid Sojourn

Arid Sojourn - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9726
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Wood: Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) / Finish Pierced, Bas Relief Carved, Lacquer Artists Acrylics / Size: 180mm diameter by 185mm in height

How could you not be inspired by the harsh beauty of an African dry season with the cryptic contrast of the Reticulated Giraffe. Pictured here in amongst acacia trees looking for water.

The water hole at the base of the vessel has dried up so the giraffe will have to search further afield for water.

Ndovu Nyekundu Ya Tsavo (The Red Elephants Of Tsavo)

Ndovu Nyekundu Ya Tsavo, The Red Elephants Of Tsavo - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9727
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Size: 170mm diameter by 145mm in height / Wood: Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) / Finish: Artists acrylics and Lacquer

The striking contrast of the red elephant and the gray trunks of the baobab trees has always stuck in my mind.

The elephant in Tsavo take on the red colour of the mud they use to cover themselves.

The elephant will dig into the relatively soft wood of the baobab to get at the moisture within.

Buffalo Fever

Buffalo Fever - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9728
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Size: 230mm diameter by 185mm in height /

The striking beauty of the yellow barked Fever Trees along with the ominous shape of the buffalo.

If you have ever been caught out by a buffalo in the African bush? Suddenly it is there without warning, staring at you as if you owe it something and it has come to collect.

You had the audacity to think you were tracking it when it was tracking you. You feel the feverish sweat of fear, hence the title Buffalo Fever.

All For One, One For All

All For One, One For All - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9729
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Wood: Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) / Finish: Pierced, Bas Relief Carved, Lacquer Artists Acrylics / Size: 125mm diameter by 120mm in height

One can imagine that this would be a fitting motto for the hardy and endearing little meerkat.

The imagery in this piece depicts the meerkat on lookout with the rich earth colours from the Kalahari.

The inside of the vessel blends from earth colours to golden grasses as the background in the sculpted painting.

Zebras Rest

Zebras Rest - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9730
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning)

The Last Of The Line

The Last Of The Line - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9731
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Wood: Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) / Finish: Pierced, Bas Relief Carved, Lacquer Artists Acrylics / Size: 180mm diameter by 170mm in height

The inspirational beauty of an African sunset with the majesty of a silhouetted elephant among acacia trees.

I’m sure this image has touched the heart of many who know Africa.

The timeless nature of the African bush etches into your mind forever.

Tandala Mkubwa (Greater Kudu)

Tandala Mkubwa, Greater Kudu - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9732
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning) / Wood: Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) / Finish Bas Relief Carved, Lacquer and Artists Acrylics / Size: 200mm diameter by 185mm in height

A fleeting glimpse of a group of kudu in amongst the thorn trees.

Normally Kudu are very hard to see with their camouflaged stripes.

When alarmed they will stand still blending with their surroundings.

Dubious Intoxication

Dubious Intoxication - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9734
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning)

Dubious Intoxication is based on an amusing incident I once had in the dry savannah in the north of Kenya in a place called Samburu.

Why dubious, because an intoxicated elephant is not to be messed with in the wild, very unpredictable indeed.

This piece captures a memory of elephant getting intoxicated on fermented Doum Palm fruit (Gingerbread Fruit). An hilarious experience best viewed from a distance.

African Dream Sunset 1

African Dream Sunset 1 - wood art by Gordon Pembridge class=aligncenter size-full wp-image-9735
Artwork by: Gordon Pembridge (Fine Art and Creative Woodturning)

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