Sculptor Carves Life-Sized Arnold Schwarzenegger Statue Out of a Tree Trunk

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

While Arnold Schwarzenegger has already been honored with a 600-pound bronze statue in Ohio, the world champion bodybuilder, Hollywood star, and ex-Governor of California has recently inspired the work of another sculptor. Wood carving artist James O’Neal created an incredible life-sized Arnie out of an old tree trunk and documented the entire process on Instagram.

Carved from black oak, the impressive piece measures 1.88 meters in height (approximately 6′ 2″ tall) and took 6 months to complete. It depicts Schwarzenegger standing in his signature bodybuilding “vacuum pose,” capturing his muscular, v-shaped physique and flexed arms. A polyurethane coat brings out rich tones and the wood’s beautiful natural grain, as well as lifelike details such as wood-carved veins on the arms.

“This piece of black oak has the craziest grain of anything I’ve ever carved,” O’Neal says on Instagram. “Burls, knots, bark, bug tunnels, and grain that changes direction every few inches. Arnold fans will probably feel it interferes with the statue, but this piece is why I carve trees. So much character, and after all, Arnold is the Austrian Oak.”

This isn’t the first figurative sculpture O’Neal has created. He’s also immortalized other famous sports champions, including Conor McGregor, Cris Cyborg, Muhammad Ali, and Floyd Mayweather. You check out all of O’Neal’s wooden sculptures on Instagram.

Woodcarving artist James O’Neal created an incredible life-sized Arnold Schwarzenegger statue out of an old tree trunk, posed in his signature “vacuum pose.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

Carved from black oak, the impressive piece measures 1.88 meters-tall and took 6 months to complete.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James O'Neal (@jim104gmc) on

James O'Neal: Instagram
h/t: [Reddit]

All images via James O'Neal.

Related Articles:

15 Master Artists Carrying on the Ancient Tradition of Wood Carving

78-Year-Old Craft Master Transforms Wood Into Intricate Sculptures with Ancient Chinese Techniques

Wood Artist Carves Fallen Logs into Adorable Forest Animals Crawling Out of Trees

Estonian Artist Uses a Chainsaw to Carve a Fantastical Dragon Bench

Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content