Participants
A - Z Countries / Regions
Francisco Nicolas Ramon MATEOS
Argentina
Francisco Mateos (1979) is a sculptor from Argentine.
At 16 he had his first contact with wood carving, activity that he developed until he start University studies in Visual Arts. Since 2010 he has been participating in more than 50 sculpture symposiums national and international.
Francisco's current work is based mainly in movement and stylization
of the forms, he gains inspiration primarily from the phenomena of nature and the material.
At the beginning of the work process are numerous sketches and detailed elaborated models.
The extraordinary sculptures show an organic design language that touches the senses.
Harutyun KARAPETYAN
Armenia
Harutyun Karapetyan is a professional sculptor and a graduate of the Yerevan State Academy of Arts. He works with a variety of materials, primarily stone (marble, basalt, tufa, granite), metal (bronze, iron), and wood.
Several of his sculptures are installed in Armenia, Denmark, and Switzerland, and his work has gained both national and international recognition. He has participated in numerous international sculpture symposiums, with some of his pieces later installed in Iran, Russia, and other countries.
Harutyun deeply values the opportunity to immerse himself in different cultures and learn from local artists, allowing him to synthesize new influences with his own cultural heritage.
Mohsen Ghareeb
Bahrain
Mohsen Ghareeb is a Bahraini visual artist born in 1971 in Muharraq, Bahrain. Ghareeb combines drawing and calligraphy, with a focus on highlighting letters in his artwork. Ghareb has participated in numerous exhibitions inside and outside Bahrain, including India, Bangladesh, Morocco and Tunisia. He has held six solo exhibitions in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Germany.
He won several awards, including the first prize in the Holy Quran Competition, the second prize in Arabic calligraphy at the GCC level, the second prize in the Bahrain, the Fujairah Award (Badr Festival) and the Al-Jahizah Al-Hijin Award (Handicrafts Festival) Al-Ahsa - Saudi Arabia.
Assane Gilbert BEGOTO
Chad
I started sculpting in 1972. I have done so for 27 years before I retired in 2007, but I am still held by the Centre Artisanal of Sarh, Chad. I am passionate by sculpture and I particularly like round sculptures and carving technique. In 1990, I was a civil servant and worked for the government.
I am proud to participate at the World Wood Day as it's my first time traveling internationally.
Dongfang YANG
China
YANG Dongfang, from Jining City, Shandong Province, China. Bamboo and wood carver, senior craft artist, national first-class technician. Established the Dongfang Woodcarving Studio in 2015 and the Dongfang Bamboo and Wood brand in 2016. Over the years, he has created numerous excellent works, which have been highly praised by professionals. He won the gold medal in the 13th "Yiding Cup" China Woodcarving Competition.
Gabriel MUNOZ RAMIREZ
Costa Rica
Born in San José, Costa Rica, in 1988, and graduated in Plastic Arts. His artistic career has led him to exhibit in various countries and participate in national and international events, standing out in places such as Egypt, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Portugal, Honduras, and Cyprus. In 2015, he won first place in a competition in Chile, thus consolidating his reputation in the artistic field.
Nationally, he has had a long journey in symposiums and won a sculpture biennial. In 2018, he ventured into creating monumental works in wood, managing to install works outside Costa Rica, thus expanding his artistic impact.
Elsayed Mohamed Abdelmoety YOUNES
Egypt
My name is Sayed Mohamed Younes, owner of a furniture factory and wood carver, born in 1989. My father was a sculptor and artist, and my brother is a famous wood carver in Egypt. I learned from them the love of carving since my childhood until I learned carving in a carving workshop with my brother. I went to the industrial school to learn the arts of wood and its industry until I mastered all the different arts of wood from making furniture, doors and windows, heritage and antiquities in Egypt. I introduced Pharaonic carving on wood, which is characterized by simplicity in drawing, carving, Pharaonic letters and beautiful writings. I can write and carve all names on wood in the ancient Pharaonic hieroglyphic language. Pharaonic carving has different techniques such as the art of sunken and raised carving. We will present them at the Japan Wood Carving Festival 2025.
Francis Ankrah AKUFFO
Ghana
I started carving wood at the age of five, inspired by my father, a wood-carver, and my mother, a firewood seller. I honed my skills through apprenticeship and later advanced my craft at the university. Now, I serve as the Secretary of Aburi Craft Village and own a mini gallery where I sell my carvings. Wood carving has sustained my family and allowed me to teach the craft in schools part-time. My passion is to share my journey and inspire others by showing how wood carving has transformed my life.
Georgios KARAMARIAS
Greece
A skilled woodcarver with 5 years of professional experience gained at Manolis Tsouris's workshop in Crete. Proficient in creating both functional wooden objects and artistic sculptures. Actively participates in wood sculpture symposiums, demonstrating a commitment to artistic development and collaboration.
Edwin Roberto VENTURA DIAZ
Honduras
Born in Azacualpa, Santa Bárbara, Honduras.
Roberto is passionate in all types of wood art. A profession that has led him to different countries and various continents.
"Continuing the tradition and passion that once began in my family, and allowing me to fly my five-star national flag around the world, is a source of pride to me."
Hamzeh Ali Mohammad BANIATA
Jordan
I'm Hamzeh Ali Bani Ata, a visual artist born in Jordan in 1974. I began my artistic journey at the College of Fine Arts, University of Basra, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sculpture. I later pursued my Master's degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Yarmouk University.
Currently, I work as a sculpture teacher at the Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Jordan. My inspiration is drawn from nature, culture, and philosophy, which I express through various sculpting techniques.
I firmly believe that art is a universal language that can unite people and convey emotions and thoughts. I continue to create artworks that reflect my vision of the world, promoting artistic and cultural dialogue among nations.
Jean Hary Gilbert Hansley BOUF
Mauritius
I started in 2007 doing sculpture. I am a singer and teach sculpture to children. I had the opportunity to participate in Symposium International in Switzerland and Congo. I also participated in many local exhibitions.
Rune HJELEN
Norway
Rune Hjelen is a Norwegian pedagogue, craftsman and artist, working at Nord University as an assistant professor in Arts and Crafts, at the Faculty of Education and Arts.
He is educated as a teacher, and he has a Journeyman`s Certificate in woodcarving, and a Masters degree in Traditional Arts. He is a member of the Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (Norske Kunsthåndverkere).
For almost 20 years he worked mainly in high school, teaching mathematics, science and Arts and Crafts, until he started teaching in the university sector in 2018. Within the teacher education he teaches Arts and Crafts, as well as courses in Esthetic learning processes. His research revolves around traditional craft, craft in a cultural context, as well as sustainability within the field of Arts and Crafts.
Runes artistic work concentrate within shaping objects in hard materials, where his creative process joins traditional crafts and contemporary art. He makes private- and public art, demonstrates techniques, tutors in woodcarving and woodturning, facilitates for both workshops and lectures. In addition, he participates in national and international symposiums and exhibitions in his field.
Abdulhadi Hussain F ALFARHAN
Saudi Arabia
Mohsen Abdulhadi Al-Farhan is a Saudi sculptor from Al-Ahsa with over 20 years of experience in wood carving. He began his artistic career with a love of drawing, then moved on to sand sculpting, and finally settled on wood carving. Al-Farhan uses tree trunks as the primary material for his works, drawing inspiration from them to create a variety of sculptures, including falcons, birds, horses, and more.
Al-Farhan has participated in numerous festivals in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In 2014, he participated in the Khobar Tourism Festival, where he created sand sculptures on Half Moon Beach using water, sand, and wooden or iron sticks, without cement or other stabilizers.
Dan Carsten NILSSON
Sweden
I live on a farm in southern Sweden with my family in a small village called Hammenhög. I am one of about 10 active woodcarver in the country and have been working as a woodcarver since 1996 with my own company. My crafts are usually mirror frames with wood carvings that are inspired by classic ornaments with elements of animals and nature and my own imagination. The mirror frames are painted in cheerful and strong colors.
Abdulrahman Mohammad Naji SAWAS
Syria
With 29 years of experience, Abdulrahman Sawas is a Syrian-born master woodcarver working with ebony, oak, cedar, and more. Skilled in traditional and modern techniques, he specializes in Italian, French, Arabic, and Oriental styles. After running a business in Syria, war forced him to move to Lebanon, then Norway. He has exhibited internationally, received high honors, and volunteered with the Lebanese Red Cross. A member of prestigious art forums, he excels in sculpture, mold-making, and epoxy table design. His dedication to craftsmanship preserves heritage while pushing artistic boundaries.
William Miles BARSLEY
UK
William Barsley is a traditional woodcarver specialising in bespoke carving and restoration work throughout the UK and abroad. Classically trained in Historic Woodcarving at the City and Guilds London School of Art, William is passionate about his craft and in ensuring this ancient skill continues to be practised and celebrated.
Anvar Khikmatullaevich ALIMBAEV
Uzbekistan
Anvar Alimbaev was born in 1982 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He learned the art of woodcarving from his uncle, Zinnatillo Alimboev, a renowned folk craftsman of Uzbekistan.
From 1993 to 1997, he studied at the Uzbekistan Republican Center for Children's Art. He then deepened his expertise in woodworking at the Komoliddin Begzod Republican Art College from 1997 to 2001. Continuing his artistic education, he studied design at the Tashkent Textile and Light Industry Institute from 2002 to 2007.
With over 31 years of experience, Anvar has created a diverse range of handcrafted works, including couches, wooden doors, chairs, bookcases, and intricate panels. His craftsmanship has been recognized both nationally and internationally, as he has participated in numerous competitions, festivals, and exhibitions.
Mirmakhsud Tursunovich MIRRAKHIMBAEV
Uzbekistan
Mirmaksud Mirrahimbaev was born on November 24, 1970, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Mirmaksud has participated in numerous national and international competitions, festivals, and exhibitions, earning prestigious diplomas, awards, and valuable prizes. Dedicated to preserving and passing on his craft, he has mentored many apprentices, including his own son, ensuring that the art of woodcarving continues to thrive for future generations.
The foundation of woodcarving lies in drawing traditional ornamentation, and Mirmaksud has mastered both - a rare combination among woodcarvers. He creates his own intricate designs, making drawing his artistic focus.
Today, he works in both woodcarving and painting, seamlessly blending both crafts, offering a unique fusion of carved textures and artistic compositions.
Fredrick MANJENGWA
Zimbabwe
I was born in 1975 in village Wafawanaka, Chief Makoni, Rusape in a family of five. I began carving wood whilst very young and this did not come out of me throughout my life.
I mainly carve human figures, animals and natural features with a strong link to my culture. When I see a dead wood log, I see a great story within it which I then carve bringing the wood back to life.
I sell my pieces locally and internationally. In 2020 I organized and held a mini exhibition of wood carvings with support from World Wood Organisation.