Meet the creator of Jephson tree carvings at Leamington art festival

Graham Jones, who transformed the rotting beech tree at the clock tower entrance to the park, as well as other trees around the gardens that had come down, is staging a live carving at the Leamington Studio Artists’ Art in the Park festival, which takes place in Jephson Gardens on August 2 and 3.

A sculptor for 30 years, Graham, who mainly works on oak, sweet chestnut and giant redwood sequoia trees, has wooden public art to his name across the country. He mostly works on trees which have come down, which he likes to think is a way of “giving them new life”.

The project in Jephson Gardens was particularly enjoyable for Graham. He said: “I have had some great conversations with local people and tourists - from all over the world - while I was working on the beech tree. I am always amazed by how many people say that they have always wanted to do wood-carving.

“I worked on the main beech tree carving on two days a week for two months.”

See more of Graham’s work at gmjwoodcarving.co.uk