My sculptures are formed entirely of wood. I use traditional technical processes in carving, constructing, and painting these pieces. Through these objects I create mimetic images that create a game of pretend for the audience, a fantasy. During the act of viewing, a tension is created between the object of fantasy and its empirical reality. By using wood to reproduce objects normally made of other materials; I create a double reality that contrasts perceived truth with actuality - my intention is to blur the line between reality (as perceived) and the unreal.  The replicated objects within the compositions serve as metaphors.  I am always challenged to push the materials and the technical processes to their extremes.  Because tradition sustains realities, I draw from it and hope to contribute to this narrative. 

 
Tom Eckert