Irwin Hobden – Penticton Vision Impaired Artist of Fine Woods

While wandering through the Craft Markets one will occasionally see handicrafts that draw one inexorably to a closer view if not to touch the items. It is always that way with finely polished woodwork. It isn’t just the intricate artistry of the wood grain or even the intensity and depth of the various coloured woods used to highlight the various components of a piece. It is the comforting feel and warmth of finely crafted, carefully sanded and highly polished wood. In the case of this wood artist, it is all the more interesting. Seventy-seven year old Irwin Hobden of Penticton is an accomplished and prolific artist of fine wood products. The plethora of his creations is simply astounding. From finely polished ring and jewellery boxes to chess and checker box/boards to finely constructed and carved wall and mantel clocks Irwin is a master of the woods with which he works. Challenged by loss of sight and determined to be legally blind due to ‘wet macular degeneration’ vision impaired Irwin Hobden displays his art pieces as though they were fine china. Irwin is a member of the Penticton Leir House Artisans’ Association and a Director of the Penticton Arts Facilities Advisory Board. However, woodworking was not always part of his life. Irwin apprenticed and trained as a diesel engine mechanic and had part of his career working for Cummins diesel throughout the Kooteneys and Okanagan. Eventually working for Transport Canada for fifteen years, he worked to maintain transmission sites for the countries navigation systems. Irwin began his part-time woodworking hobby in the early 1980’s and has been working at it seriously and prolifically for the past fifteen years. Irwin likes to say he incorporates the aesthetic beauty of his woodwork into functional and useful pieces of wood art. See examples of Irwin’s work through the pictures on this page. You can contact Irwin at 250-492-8326 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

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