The inspiration for this piece comes from how big hearts can take a lot. Each nail hammered in is painful, each nail hammered is a story. Some people hammer in their own nails, but each one becomes a right of passage, a sacrifice, a journey, and a path that tells the chronicle of what this heart has been through. But when you take a step back and look at the hundreds of nails across it’s surface, they make the heart appear impenetrable and protected with a shield of iron. A fortress of spikes, in which nothing can harm the heart ever again. Another nail would only strengthen it. So I hammer each one proudly.

I call this my “Heart of Tacks”.

Each heart starts out in log form, then it’s carefully hewn with my axe, hollowed and finished with various knives. This is where I get to play with form and textures that are unique to working with wood. Some of the surface is cleft, meaning wood that has been split off leaving a distinctive natural look. Other areas were scooped out with a curved blade, other spots you can see the axe marks reminiscent of old timbers in log homes.

This piece really illustrates my use of the dance between light and shadow. At different times of the day as light changes, the textures will jump out, subtleties will change, always visually catching your eye.

This piece is sensory. Running your fingers over the wooden textures and nails provides stress relief and sense of strength.

These look great to hang on a wall, a window, or to use as a weight for your papers.

*This is a made to order item

Each item is handcrafted by the artist and individually unique. They will vary due to the choice of natural materials and selection of old world iron nails. Dimensions can vary as well. For custom sizes and colors - email me at alex@alexyerks.com


Finished with my own blend of linseed oil.
Dimensions - 6”x5”x2”