“No two snowflakes are alike.” We learn this idea at a very young age, cutting into folded paper and creating decorative snowflakes for the holidays.
As the winter festival draws near, Denver artist Chris DeKnikker is offering snowflake inspired sculptures, just in time for your magical season. (Above, Kenneth G. Libbrecht).
Chris, his wife and son have assembled one-of-a-kind snowflakes made out of reclaimed Christmas tree stumps. Upcycled, recycled, reclaimed and repurposed walnut and oak trees formulate DeKnikker’s hand-made snowflakes ornaments while no two are made the same. Celebrating Chris’ original design, I thought to catch up with him and share:
mark murphy : What makes the snowflake a powerful symbol for personal connectedness?
Chris DeKnikker : Snowflakes are powerful symbols for connectedness. To me snowflakes define the feeling of “holidays”—hot cider, sledding, snow balls, wood stoves, family, and friends. It’s one of those things that evokes an emotional connection with everyone, everywhere no matter where from, believe, or how raised. It connects us as good humans.
mark murphy : Share how you brought this idea to life and how you're creating each snowflake from discarded Christmas trees?
The accumulation of waste after December 25th with the wrapping paper, boxes and discarded trees has always bothered me. Years back, I started saving my old Christmas trees for future sculpture projects.
Last year my son and I made a few ornaments out of discs cut from dried out tree trunks and small bits of scraps taken from my sculpture scrap piles. This was super fun, free and the results turned out great inspiring this year’s ornament edition.
It all started when I volunteered to teach my son's kindergarten art class. I decided it would be great if they learned how to make their own ornaments so I prepared the needed materials, reviewed the lesson with their art teacher and the rest is history. I felt really good, and a good friend of mine ordered 15 on the spot, inspiring me to now offer these to the public.
Each ornament is completely unique and functions as quick studies for future sculptures. This is a great exercise for me, as I am furthering my sculpture work by exploring composition, symmetry, and contrast.
Its funny too, as I literally use every part of the tree. Even the odds and ends are piling up with “imperfections” like knots, worm holes and elongated shapes and will be ready for some really interesting abstract pieces down the road. (Above sculptor Chris DeKnikker’s approach and example of his work, Laura’s Lament).
Chris DeKnikker’s Snowflake Ornaments are artist-signed, hand-made and packaged and, of course, mailed directly to you. You can purchase your own one-of-a-kind Chris DeKnikker sculpture here - contact the artist.
Additional stories here, Natural Sculptural Work, Chris DeKnikker Sculpture and Interview. (Kind thanks to Chris DeKnikker and happy holiday goodness)!