Manitoba woodcarver creates pandemic-inspired carving

WINNIPEG (CITYNEWS) – A Manitoba woodcarver is creating a pandemic-inspired piece that features the seven sacred teachings and a special message of endurance.

Rick Hall, a logger for more than two decades, and his wife are taking their experience in art to create a wood carving to mark the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wanted to tie everything in with the pandemic and the traditional carving,” said Hall. “It inspires me to showcase my work and to see all the different cultures.”

Hall says the piece he is currently working on, which he began last week, is inspired by the world’s response to the spread of the virus.

“It’s very important because the culture would say it all with the sacred teachings,” he said. “Love, humility, courage, honesty, truth, respect, wisdom, put them all together and we will need all of that to prosper.”

The piece is seven-feet tall and 24 inches in diameter. It features Earth on top of an eagle with six other animals below to showcase the seven sacred teachings.

Hall says he hopes the carving has an impact on many communities dealing with the effects of the illness.

“The culture of the teachings is that all peoples can understand – to tie in everything, to tie in everyone.”

The experienced woodcarver credits his wife for helping him with the project, describing their work as a team effort.

“The wife always inspires me, so I want them to know that it’s not just me, all of it is the wife,” he said. “The wife and I are a team.”

He plans to speak with the elders as to where the piece will be put when it is completed in the next few weeks.