Jack Shunk Portrait

Another moody portrait by the late Washington State woodcarver Jack Shunk, aka the "Owl Man of Upper Preston." Shunk was active, and even locally-famous, during the 1960s and 70s; his art-filled A-frame studio in the woods was a popular tourist destination. He produced thousands of carvings of owls (primarily), but also many dark, almost grotesque portraits like this one. Shunk worked a day job at Boeing Aircraft, but he had many of the hallmarks of the outsider, including his idiosyncratic style, his obsessive practice, and repetitive motifs. Three-quarter view of a person’s face, with downcast eyes, carved in relief on a large piece of split, old growth western redcedar. Signed “JS [19]77” on reverse. 23.5” tall by 16” wide.