Tortuga

Tortuga gives a rounded head and broad flippers room to stretch beneath a dark wooden shell. The golden tones of the body contrast with the deeper brown above, while the glossy finish catches light along the grain and softly shaped edges. Its low, unhurried silhouette brings a certain composure to the tabletop, without demanding that the tabletop become a plinth.

The stained view shows that contrast settling into place. In the front view, the turtle turns toward the viewer with the raw wood used to carve it in the background: a straightforward before-and-after comparison, sharing the same frame. The finished showpiece draws closer to the shell, flippers, and traces of handwork that give the little swimmer its character.

Two smaller baby turtles join the exhibit as carvings in progress. Still pale and rough around the edges, their emerging shells, heads, and tiny legs show the forms taking shape before color and finish. Together, they suggest a growing family with a shared commitment to taking its time. The gallery may call this a meditation on patience; the turtles have made no comment.