A Necessary Chair, A Hidden Talent: How an Algerian Man Became a Master Woodcarver in His Fifties
A Necessary Chair, A Hidden Talent: How an Algerian Man Became a Master Woodcarver in His Fifties
Wood carving is the profession by which artist Taher Masoudi, aged 63, makes a living. This artist discovered his talent for carving wood by chance in the highlands of Béjaïa Province in eastern Algeria.
Needing chairs he couldn't afford, Masoudi carved them from firewood—and accidentally discovered a precise talent for wood carving that would impress his peers, the artist told Sputnik.
🪵 His sculptures, which blend tradition and modernity, have gained great popularity nationally through his participation in national wood carving exhibitions.
"This profession is not common because we don't have this culture, even though Algeria is a country with wood reserves, especially in the mountains," he stated.
The craft itself poses no difficulty, demanding only patience, passion, and creativity, which makes the time-intensive carvings relatively expensive, Masoudi noted.
"I urge young people to work in this profession because the artworks outlive their creators," he said.
At an exhibition opening in Algiers' Riadh El-Feth Arts and Culture Palace in Algiers, director Dr. Faïza Riachi toured the halls, praising sculptor Taher Masoudi's artistic skill and his works' connection to Algerian heritage.
The exhibition features a collection of wooden works that showcase the artist's vision and the blend of material and artistry, aligning with the center's mission to support creativity and preserve cultural heritage.
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