The Birmingham Public Library is proud to feature the works of artist Carl Smith in an upcoming exhibition titled Nature Speaks. The show features unique statues, pedestals, and wall pieces that Smith deftly fashions from the found remains of trees and vines. The new exhibition is on display in Central Library’s Sculpture Gallery.
The self-taught Smith has been working with wood for over 40 years. He began collecting driftwood while working for the Birmingham Water Works at the Cahaba Pumping Station, where he performed water-quality testing. Since then, he has continued collecting strikingly shaped pieces of wood in parks, along roadsides, and in bodies of water.
Smith’s expertise lies in recognizing and resurrecting the innate beauty of the wood he finds. He is drawn to pieces that resemble animals, birds, clouds, dancers, flowers, and even ghosts and aliens, though he acknowledges that his works are perceived differently depending on the viewer. Cedar, cherry, mulberry, Southern red oak, sycamore, walnut, and wisteria are just a few examples of the many tree species he works with.
Smith’s expertise lies in recognizing and resurrecting the innate beauty of the wood he finds. He is drawn to pieces that resemble animals, birds, clouds, dancers, flowers, and even ghosts and aliens, though he acknowledges that his works are perceived differently depending on the viewer. Cedar, cherry, mulberry, Southern red oak, sycamore, walnut, and wisteria are just a few examples of the many tree species he works with…