Local wood sculptor Martin Pigg will once again be taking part in the Open Studios exhibition from Saturday, May 17 to June 1 in Rockland St Peter. Martin first took part in the Open Studios in 2007 and received such a positive and enthusiastic response to his work that he made the life-changing decision to make wood sculpturing his full time occupation.

wood sculptor Martin Pigg (above) will once again be taking part in the Norfolk Open Studios event with an exhibition from Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, June 2 at Rockland St Peter.

Martin first took part in Open Studios - in which artists across the county throw open the doors of their studios and workplaces - in 2007. He received such an enthusiastic response to his work that he made the life-changing decision to make wood sculpturing his full-time occupation.

His work is inspired by the ethos surrounding the Maori Koru. The sculptures he will be exhibiting include various shapes and sizes, all using the natural form of the wood to create a work of art that will allow these magnificent pieces of wood to stand and be admired for at least another 100 years.

Martin has been working on some much larger pieces, including one that won the people's vote in the Alternative Umbrella competition held at Southwold last year.

After graduating from Merrist Wood College, near Guildford, in 2002 as a qualified tree surgeon, Martin worked in England and New Zealand

before discovering his

passion and talent for wood sculpting.

He said: "I would much rather see a beautiful tree be turned into a piece of art and be appreciated by art-lovers than being wasted by being turned into firewood."

Martin's Open Studios event is at Bowers Farm, Bell Road, Rockland St Peter. Call him on 07793 241469 or email martpigg@hotmail.com for more details and if you are interested in going along.

To view more of his

work visit the website www.naturalsculpture.co.uk