Kenya-born and New Zealand-based artist Gordon Pembridge have been lucky enough to have a lifelong relationship with nature.
Having to live and experience the African wilderness, along with many an adventure in the bush, Pembridge has developed a passion for natural history.
He often looks to his surroundings for inspiration, which has culminated in an oeuvre that incorporates the elements of natural history and portrayals of local wildlife.
Gordon now works for himself and is involved in graphic design, fine art, illustration, photography, 3D design, and woodturning.
Pembridge gets most of his timber from storm-felled trees and shapes it with a lathe, yet the real magic takes place when he meticulously hand-carves incredibly detailed natural and wildlife life scenes with a high-speed engraver.
What do you think about his Kenya Wilderness Art on Wood? Let us know in the comments below.
Tsavo Sunset
The stunning and evocative beauty of African wildlife in amongst the Tsavo baobabs at sunset.
Bathed in the warm comforting glow the African wildlife depicted in this piece move restlessly looking for a drink before the drama of the African night arrives, accompanied with its relentless uncertainty.
Arid Sojourn
How could you not be inspired by the harsh beauty of an African dry season with the cryptic contrast of the Reticulated Giraffe. Pictured here in amongst acacia trees looking for water.
The water hole at the base of the vessel has dried up so the giraffe will have to search further afield for water.
Ndovu Nyekundu Ya Tsavo (The Red Elephants Of Tsavo)
The striking contrast of the red elephant and the gray trunks of the baobab trees has always stuck in my mind.
The elephant in Tsavo take on the red colour of the mud they use to cover themselves.
The elephant will dig into the relatively soft wood of the baobab to get at the moisture within.
Buffalo Fever
The striking beauty of the yellow barked Fever Trees along with the ominous shape of the buffalo.
If you have ever been caught out by a buffalo in the African bush? Suddenly it is there without warning, staring at you as if you owe it something and it has come to collect.
You had the audacity to think you were tracking it when it was tracking you. You feel the feverish sweat of fear, hence the title Buffalo Fever.
All For One, One For All
One can imagine that this would be a fitting motto for the hardy and endearing little meerkat.
The imagery in this piece depicts the meerkat on lookout with the rich earth colours from the Kalahari.
The inside of the vessel blends from earth colours to golden grasses as the background in the sculpted painting.
Zebras Rest
The Last Of The Line
The inspirational beauty of an African sunset with the majesty of a silhouetted elephant among acacia trees.
I’m sure this image has touched the heart of many who know Africa.
The timeless nature of the African bush etches into your mind forever.
Tandala Mkubwa (Greater Kudu)
A fleeting glimpse of a group of kudu in amongst the thorn trees.
Normally Kudu are very hard to see with their camouflaged stripes.
When alarmed they will stand still blending with their surroundings.
Dubious Intoxication
Dubious Intoxication is based on an amusing incident I once had in the dry savannah in the north of Kenya in a place called Samburu.
Why dubious, because an intoxicated elephant is not to be messed with in the wild, very unpredictable indeed.
This piece captures a memory of elephant getting intoxicated on fermented Doum Palm fruit (Gingerbread Fruit). An hilarious experience best viewed from a distance.
African Dream Sunset 1
