Carving
Hands of Life sculpture
This outstanding two metre-high sculpture was designed and carved out of the trunk of a yew tree by our master craftsmen, and depicts the various stages in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
It shows, from the base, pairs of human hands, starting with the clasp associated with anxiety and pain at the onset of cancer, rising through hope, to belief in the cure or resurrection.
The decision to create a carving symobolising ‘hope’ arose from a compound, extracted from yew trees, which is used as a treatment for advanced breast cancer.
The foliage of the tree was removed by local schoolchildren and sent to the Friendships Estates Ltd in Doncaster for processing.
For a period of time a few years ago, Hands of Life was loaned to the Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, for display in the cathedral.
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Dr Samuel Johnson carving (1709-1784)
The research for this closely observed figure came primarily from two sources: a close study, at various angles, taken from Dr Johnson’s deathmask and the study of numerous portraits.
Carved in teak, it captures his unusual and highly distinctive stance.
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