Wood Carving of Whales and Fish

Ira Blount · 1982

Four whales surrounded by a school of fish swim along the seaweed-covered ocean floor in this wood carving. By creating different textures and finishes, artist Ira Blount (1918-2020) evokes the whales’ slick skin and the murky sand beneath the seaweed. Blount expressed hope that audiences would feel uplifted after observing his works. The details in this carving transport the viewer to an underwater world where they can experience the tranquility and grandeur of the ocean.