Artists In Residence

The Leaburg library is pleased to showcase the beautiful and unique wood art created by Damien Namkung, our featured artist for April. He has a fascinating life story that describes his professional journey which has brought him to this place.

Damien’s bio:

“On September 26, 1974, Damien was the first child born at the Takilma Free Clinic. He was raised on a homestead in the midst of the Siskiyou National Forest. He attended a two-room grade school through the second grade in Gasquet, California, and then schools in Crescent City. His early art explorations included Femo, clay, charcoal drawing, water colors, oils and acrylics. In 1992 he moved to Vida, Oregon and attended McKenzie High School where he tried batiking. After participating in several art classes which included silversmithing, he graduated from Thurston High School in 1993.

Damien went on to join his father making and selling hoop and wooden drums, attending art festivals in the Southwest, and teaching several local drum-making workshops.

By 1998, he became interested in glass arts, studying at the Corning School of Glass in Corning, New York. He worked in several glass shops locally and began the festival circuit in California and Oregon. His specialties were hollow form vessels and fairy figurines which he demonstrated at a conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

With access to a long-arm quilting machine, he began designing quilt tops, sharing assembly and finishing with freehand quilting.

In 2019, inspired by his dad, he began working in wood using scraps from construction sites and wood salvaged from the Holiday Farm Fire. He creates platters, wall hangings, decorative shelves, picture frames and special commissions.

He now does a limited number of Pacific Northwest shows and collaborates with other artists including Seattle artist, Henry.

Working in an upriver studio, Damien’s process includes burning the wood to expose the grain, removing the char, carving, sanding, applying both color and a finish.”

Damien’s beautiful wood art pieces will be on display at the library through April 30. This is a remarkable collection from a highly creative and gifted artist, and since the individual pieces are for sale, it is also an opportunity for you to own something very special.

Come – take time to browse – and enjoy!