World renowned chainsaw artist to add to Bland Art Trail

One of the world’s best chainsaw carvers will deliver another exciting and innovative artwork in the Bland Shire from the end of this month.

Bland Shire Council has engaged Melbourne chainsaw maestro Brandon Kroon to create a spectacular wooden sculpture from a tree stump in West Wyalong’s McCann Park.

The work will create a large scale artwork in McCann Park which will add significantly to the Bland Shire’s emerging art trail which also includes the Big Football at Ungarie, the Weethalle Silo mural, the Russell Drysdale Monument and Reg Rattey VC statue in West Wyalong.

Mr Kroon will commence work in McCann Park on Monday 30 September and expects to finish on Friday 4 October. Members of the community are encouraged to come along and watch his wooden masterpiece take shape and can meet and chat with the artist for short periods on site from Wednesday 2 October.

Bland Shire Council General Manager, Ray Smith, said previous public artworks commissioned by Council had achieved incredible success and notoriety and the chainsaw carving sculpture will be the next significant step forward in Bland Shire’s emerging public art trail.

“Council recognises and appreciates the value of public art to our local tourism industry and economy as well as its ability to help connect local communities,” Mr Smith said.

“We will continue to dare to be different in delivering unique and spectacular public art which along with our community spirit and country hospitality will help make the Bland Shire a must stop destination for tourists and in particular people travelling on the Newell and Mid Western Highways.”

Mr Kroon will arrive in West Wyalong with an impressive resume and reputation as one of the finest chainsaw craftsmen anywhere in the world.

Passionate about creating, fixing and working with his hands ever since he could remember, Mr Kroon first started carving professionally in 2013 and has since built a spectacular portfolio of artworks.

He recently placed fifth at the United States Open Chainsaw Sculpture competition despite battling appendicitis throughout the event.

“Creating inspiring works of art and bringing wood form to life is what chainsaw sculpture is all about." Mr Kroon said.

More information about Mr Kroon and examples of his incredible work ca be found on his website at https://www.bkcarving.com/