Timberland — MADE FROM FIONA

On September 24, 2022, Hurricane Fiona devastated communities across Atlantic Canada marking it as one of history’s most severe climate disasters. This catastrophic event devastated communities, uprooted families and demolished homes, infrastructure, and thousands of trees.

‘Made from Fiona’ was a proactive response campaign that transformed fallen trees into symbols of resilience and hope—raising money for a community struggling to rebuild.

THE
ARTISTS

JONATHAN
OTTER

MASTER FURNITURE DESIGNER

ADAM
MCNAMARA

WOOD SCULPTOR

KALEN
ROBLEE

VISUAL ARTIST

SOLACE

BUILT BY JONATHAN OTTER

This piece is carved from the Northern Red Oak that was uprooted on the Jonathan's family farm during Hurricane Fiona. The exact GPS coordinates of where the timber fell are hand-carved directly into the back of the chair. Rather than hiding the tree's history, the design is sculpted to highlight its natural colour variation and unique grain patterns, giving the sitter a deeply tactile connection to the story of the wood itself.

The design of the chair beautifully captures the raw, kinetic energy of the storm while still offering a deep, welcoming sense of security. Its structural elements are full of motion—from the backward-angled legs that give the piece momentum, to the fluid armback that tapers into sharp, antler-like details and arms shaped to mimic crashing waves. To contrast the wood, the thick saddle leather seat was soaked and sculpted to look like sheet metal catching high winds. A vibrant Robin Egg Blue was chosen to symbolize new beginnings and rebirth, finished with hand-stitched burnt orange thread as a nod to the resilient, lively spirit of the local community.

REBIRTH

BUILT BY ADAM MCNAMARA

This sculpture was created from a 300-year-old fallen Ash tree that stood on the grounds of Adam's family church in Sackville, Nova Scotia.   

This intricate hand-carved wood sculpture elegantly captures the essence of growth and rebirth, intertwining the vitality of nature with the resilience of community. Its fluid lines depict harmonious coexistence, forming a symbol of shared flourishing and renewal. It encapsulates the enduring spirit of both nature and community, reminding us that even in loss, there's a seed of hope for a stronger, united future.

UPROOT

BUILT BY KALEN ROBLEE

Crafted from the cross-section of a 50-year-old Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) sourced from Halifax, NS. This tree was selected for its unique traits, including leaves that "tremble" in the wind—a characteristic that felt symbolic of the ruthless force of nature this tree experienced during Hurricane Fiona. Unlike most trees, the rings of these aspen trees exhibit a more drastic transition between dense and porous textures due to their rapid growth rate in the growing season.

This canvas reveals its narrative with a mesmerizing tree ring relief technique. A chorus of whirling winds, masterfully captured, draws the viewer into the eye of the hurricane. Twisted roots and crashing waves beyond the storm's edge depict its ferocity. The intricate interplay of elements invites contemplation—a vivid reminder of nature's power and life's fragile resilience.