Why “Voodoo Carving”? On Gods, Inspiration, and Creative Freedom

Discover the story behind Voodoo Carving. From Norse myths to Voodoo Loa in cyberpunk novels, explore how diverse spiritual traditions inspire unique hand-carved deity statues and mythological sculptures.

Why “Voodoo Carving”?

Let’s start by unraveling the origin of the shop’s name. Like many, I was fascinated by ancient myths as a child, where the Greek and Norse pantheons left all competitors far behind. However, it was in my more mature years that I was struck by the imagery of the Voodoo Loa (spirits) — particularly as William Gibson populated the cyberspace of his Neuromancer trilogy with them.

Those books fundamentally reshaped my understanding of how participants in a religious tradition perceive their spiritual entities. These spirits, having endured centuries of upheaval and transformation, stayed with me forever. Thus, the name is a tribute to those powerful images. Even though I encountered them in a work of fiction, they provided me with an immense surge of creative inspiration that continues to fuel my work in wood carving and sculpture art.

My Stance on Religion & Tradition

I am not an initiate into any specific mystical tradition, though I hold deep respect for each one. In my shop, alongside figures from Norse, Greek, Celtic, and Gnostic traditions, you will easily find statues from parody or humorous religions. Many of my early works were influenced by fantasy literature and even anime.

Therefore, if my depiction of a deity you revere differs from the one you are accustomed to, it is not done out of disrespect. It is simply the form in which that essence revealed itself to me through my creative process. There are, of course, certain canonical boundaries one should be mindful not to cross. Yet, we must not forget that an artist requires a degree of creative freedom — without it, everything in the world would be dull and uniform.

My goal is to create unique collectible figurines and meaningful altar statues that resonate on a personal level, whether they serve as a centerpiece for veneration, a piece of mythology decor, or a standalone work of handcrafted art.