Impressive animals carved in wood with... chainsaw

When you say chainsaw you almost always think of something rough, chopping down or "topping" trees, splitting firewood and other such activities. More arty, gentle, chainsaw-related thoughts are harder to conjure up. And yet, you can make art with a chainsaw, and there are artists who have works that are charged with sensitivity.

One of these artists is Jurgen Lingl-Rebetez, a German artist who has been living in France for some time. He creates imposing sculptures of animals, delicately wielding a chainsaw.

Jurgen was born in 1971 in Bad Tolz, Bavaria, and since his childhood he has shown a penchant for art. He drew everything he saw around him: plants, animals, buildings, people, landscapes.

The first public exhibition of his work, however, took place much later, after his graduation from Josef-Effner Grammar School, when he was in his early 20s. In his first exhibition, he presents a series of nude studies using various techniques in a gallery in Dachau.

After performing his compulsory civilian service in Schonbrunn, Jurgen began training in sculpture as an apprentice of master Hans-Joachim Seitfudem. His devotion to this passion led him to a first prize in a competition in Munich and a second place in a national competition in Bavaria.

In 1966 he moved to Switzerland and started working as a freelance artist. It was also around this time that he began to use a chainsaw to make sculptures. In 1999 he moved to France, where he still lives and works.

His classical education in the field allows him great creative freedom, and he can approach various subjects without any technical problems. He can work on subjects such as animals, portraits, nudes, as well as religious subjects such as angels or holy monuments and figures.

Yurgen has a strong personal style that shows his passion and brilliance in every piece of wood he works in. His carvings are three-dimensional drawings made with a chainsaw, and the color strokes make the impressive carvings even more vibrant.

Jurgen Lingl-Rebetez has participated in exhibitions in France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, where he has won numerous awards. His work can be found in public and private collections in various European countries as well as in Canada, the USA, Russia, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

(source: lingl-sculpture.com)