Realistic wood carvings capturing faces full of life and history

Preserving Cultural Memory

The photos below are from the Shtetl 2025 Collection.

Cultural Stories

Group carvings that bring historical and cultural figures to life, telling stories through wood.

Wood Details

Each piece highlights the natural grain and texture of the wood, enhancing the lifelike quality of the carvings.

My Journey

Roots

I was born in a small town with Swedish roots, a quiet rhythm and a tradition of woodcarvers. Over the years, my path has taken me far from there—most notably to Ecuador, where I lived for two decades, started a family, and built a life shaped by the language and warmth of the coast. My wife and daughters are Ecuadorian, and we speak Spanish at home. That part of my life continues to shape how I see the world.

These days, I carve wood. My current focus is on figures from the Jewish shtetls of Eastern Europe, inspired by historical photographs—especially Photographing the Jewish Nation by S. An-Sky and A Vanished World by Roman Vishniac. I don’t make exact copies. I let the images guide me, and I try to honor the spirit of the people in them. Their faces, their posture, their quiet dignity—they stay with me.

I’m not Jewish, but I consider myself an ally. I carve these figures out of respect and a desire to preserve memory. The people in those photos knew what was coming, and that makes their everyday moments—selling matzo, dancing at weddings, walking to school—all the more poignant. I feel a responsibility to do my best for them.

My work is quiet. It’s not meant to be grand. It’s just my way of listening to history, and trying to respond with care.

My art is a way to preserve memory and push back against antisemitism and cultural erasure.

I’ve taught workshops and continue to explore ways to share this work with a wider audience. I am honored to share this journey with you—how carving became a bridge between continents, cultures, and conscience.

Get in Touch

Questions or commissions? I’d love to hear from you and chat about your ideas.