Let the timber guide your hands, and follow where the grain flows
A two-and-a-half-hour workshop for adults: saw, carve and sand a one-of-a-kind wooden dish from timber reclaimed at KFBG.
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Carving, and the quiet it brings
The growth rings of a tree quietly record the passing of time and nature’s stories. Running alongside the Ripples & Pulses Between the Rings exhibition, this showcase presents works created by Growth Ring apprentices using locally reclaimed timber, alongside ecological installation art by artist-in-residence Alvdalen, revealing how timber transforms from a forest resource into a poetic medium carrying time, memory and imagination.
Beyond viewing the exhibition, we invite you to step into the world of woodcraft and discover the therapeutic joy of carving raw timber with your own hands.
Since ancient times, craftsmen have created by honouring the natural grain and organic form of wood; a timeless practice of working in harmony with nature. Amid the rush of modern life, why not allow yourself a moment to pause and unburden your mind? Let the timber guide your hands as you follow where the grain flows. Surrounded by lush greenery inside our greenhouse, pick up traditional woodworking tools to shape the timber layer by layer, feeling the natural aroma released as the wood gradually aligns with the form in your mind’s eye.
In this workshop designed for adults, you work with timber reclaimed from KFBG. Guided by the warm support of Growth Ring apprentice assistants, you will craft a one-of-a-kind wooden dish, immersing yourself in a deeply fulfilling, mindful journey of creation.
- Sawing the timber: use a traditional hand saw to shape the basic outline of your dish, discovering the tactile joy of raw creation.
- Carving and sanding: bring your vessel to life stroke by stroke with chisel and mallet, then sand it gently to a smooth, warm finish.
Date and time
Registration and enquiries
Before you book
- Fees are non-refundable once paid, except where the session is cancelled due to inclement weather.
- The reclaimed timber may include camphor wood. Applicants with G6PD deficiency should state this clearly on the application form.
About Growth Ring
Timber pruned or removed during routine tree management at KFBG is processed through our Wood Recycling Programme rather than discarded, and the larger logs became the foundation for Growth Ring: Empowering Wood Upcycling through Training and Innovation — an apprenticeship that teaches woodworking, furniture making and carving, two of which are recognised as Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Sponsorship
Related links
- Kadoorie Earth Programme (KEP): an initiative co-created by KFBG and its network of collaborators and volunteers. By integrating the various strands of KFBG’s nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education programmes, it provides life-transforming learning experiences that reconnect people with themselves, each other and the rest of nature and enable them to cultivate resilience in the face of global challenges.
- Nature Art Programmes: immerse yourself in silent contemplation of nature. Deepen your awareness of beauty and connect with nature through art. KFBG organises a variety of art workshops including Zentangle drawing, sketching and wood art, and exhibitions to guide participants, with or without artistic background, to create nature art.
- Nature Education Programmes: become animal detectives and explore the mysteries of wild animals. Use different senses to discover the beauty of plants. Learn about the significance of forest, trees and even soils through field visits, experiments and woodwork, to reconnect with nature.
- Group Guided Tours: led by trained environmental interpreters, the content includes experiential and hands-on activities. We encourage a passion for nature, conservation and ecology by nurturing an appreciation of the natural world.
- Corporate Programmes: our Holistic Education Department staff can design either half-day or full-day nature education and art programmes for corporate staff or their family members based on specific needs. Leveraging the unique natural landscape and cultural ambiance of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, our activities may include guided tours, farm-to-table experiences, nature-based workshops, talks and art activities, aiming to promote understanding and practice of sustainable living for organisations.
This workshop is part of Ripples & Pulses Between the Rings | Growth Ring x ALVDALEN Joint Woodcraft Exhibition.