The design began as a detailed digital sculpture, carefully composed to give each member of the gorilla family its own personality while creating a strong sense of depth.
The design was then carved into repurposed wood using a combination of CNC machining and traditional hand-finishing. Once carved, every surface was cleaned and refined by hand before the gorillas, foliage and surrounding timber were individually painted.
Layers of subtle colour, shading and highlights were gradually built up to bring out the facial expressions, textured fur and fine details. The piece was then finished with a protective clear coating, preserving the natural warmth of the wood while allowing the gorilla family to remain the centre of attention.
