Virgil Leih

Virgil Leih turns 2000 lb. rescued tree trunks into enormous, carved sculptures. Now, at 64 years of age, he has his first public show at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.

Using a lathe originally built for ship-building and a giant microwave oven of his own invention, Virgil Leih turns discarded 2000 pound tree trunks into enormous carved vessels that show off the inherent beauty of the natural grain of the wood. Inspired to work with full-size logs by building a cabin in Ely, Leih perfected his art after his retirement from the business world and had his first public art show at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska at the age of 64. "Every object of art I produce is already hidden inside the tree trunk waiting to be revealed and enjoyed," Virgil says. "It is such a privilege to reveal what is inside unseen." [caption id="attachment_608" align="alignright" width="220"] Click above to see more work from Virgil Leih[/caption]

Air Date 7/8/10