Artist’s Bio

Neno Catania is a woodworker from Burnaby, BC. He is self-taught, having spent many hours at the library studying books and videos, as well as being a member of the Greater Vancouver Woodturners' Association.

"I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of working with wood, from the beautiful colours and grain patterns to the rich supply of wood from different species of trees. It's a constant surprise and pleasure to me when I cut into a fresh green log and finding what is behind the bark. It's like opening a wooden box that holds secrets from the past. Each tree has a unique grain that contains a history of the weather, climate, and soil conditions experienced during its growth cycle. Trees live and die like people do. One aspect of woodworking is creating new life into a piece of dead wood. For me it could be a bowl or sculpted band saw box that otherwise would have been used for firewood or gone to the landfill.

I create a range of turnings and wooden boxes which are functional pieces, to purely decorative art. They are inspired by traditional forms from around the world and shapes found in nature. When I create bark-edge bowls, I get my inspiration from the North Shore Mountains - peaks and valleys can be seen when looking at the rim of the bowl, for instance. Hopefully, some of my inspiration and artistic vision will live long after I am gone.

Being an artist has brought about many challenges, as well as an outlet for conceptual and emotional expression, which I thrive on. My goal is to produce art in simple, classic shapes, which come as near to perfection in finish and form as my skills allow".