By REBECCA BILLS
ALL HE needs is a chainsaw and a tree stump to create extraordinary statues and totems.
Eltham local Leigh Conkie has battled depression, sex abuse, his own battle with dyslexia and drug abuse finding his only positive outlet in his chainsaw creations.
Starting our as a builder’s labourer, Leigh said he just could not find any work in the industry.
“I saw a tree stump next to my house and I decided to give carving a go,” he said.
“So many friends saw the piece and asked if I could do something with stumps in their yard and I realised I could make some money out of this.”
Leigh said he now has his work featured at the top of Mount Dandenong – one of the largest sculptures in Australia.
His work also features at the Greensborough war memorial as well as outside Ivanhoe Railway Station and at his studio on Main Road, Eltham.
“I’ve always been a creative character,” he said.
“I work with all different sizes of tree stumps but I definitely prefer to work with the bigger stuff.
“These pieces take a few weeks for me to create.”
Leigh recently featured in a documentary by filmmaker Ryan Gaskett following his life as a chainsaw sculptor.
Mr Gaskett told how the destruction of Leigh’s earlier years had taken its toll and Leigh found the only way out was through the art of chainsaw sculpting.
“Truly himself when in the creative space, Leigh uses art to escape his mind and find peace in the moment,” he said.
“Despite all of Leigh’s past and present struggles, his truest nature still shines very bright, full of infectious humour and optimism.”
Leigh’s studio is located at 1305 Main Road, Eltham.
