As soon as you step into Mark Verleyen’s art exhibit, you are instantly confronted with so many sculptures and images that it may take you a few minutes to finally realize what you’re looking at.
Once your mind clears, you realize that this is less an exhibit, and more of a recreation of Verleyen’s workplace.
Tools line the walls, and Verleyen’s real toolbox is displayed alongside his beautiful carvings. “I just wanted to bring people into my garage,” he explained.
Verleyen has been working on his wooden sculptures for over 40 years. The biggest sculptures in the room are intricate models of various wildlife. His sculptures are impressive from any distance, but when you get up close you notice the small details.
“The log dictates the shape of the creature,” said Verleyen, describing his process. When asked where he collects the material for the sculptures, Verleyen credits bad weather for good supplies “A lot of ice storms are my best friends,” he said.
Throughout the years art has always been a prominent feature in his life, however it’s not how he makes a living.
Verleyen has worked as a zookeeper, a hard hat diver, a landlord, and has even owned his own construction company.
The first sculpture Verleyen ever made was that of a First World War era tank out of clay. He couldn’t find an actual model kit, so he decided to just make one himself. Verleyen’s inspiration comes from his father, who was himself a hardworking artist. Another big inspiration is french artist Paul Gauguin, whose art he studied and gravitated towards throughout the years.
The oldest piece in the exhibit is from 1967, a totem pole created for Verleyen’s grandfather.
The inspiration for the pieces is relatively quick according to Verleyen, and it’s the work itself that takes the most time. Verleyn says the time it takes to fulfill his inspiration can take up to a year depending on the piece.
Even when the artwork would be considered finished by a casual observer, Verleyen says they are never truly finished. Some of the artwork displayed at the exhibit may be radically changed in the future as he continues to work on the piece until it leaves his personal collection.
Verleyen’s proudest feature of the exhibit is the location.
The Wallaceburg and District Museum is a perfect crossroad between the past and the present, Verleyen said.
If you are interested in viewing his wood carvings or you are interested in discovering more about this talented carver, the exhibit is going to be on display at the museum until Feburary 12.
– Story and photos by Andrew Roebuck
