Kibwezi, Kenya has long been known for its skilled carvers who transform fallen wood into functional works of art. Using only basic hand tools, this skill is passed from father to son and requires years of patient practice to master. Hand-carving was long considered a highly respected profession but has seen a slow decline in recent decades as younger generations move out of rural villages in search of urban jobs. Collins, however, was determined to follow in his family’s long tradition of woodwork. Since 2009 his team has grown to 80 artisans and has breathed renewed life into a dwindling craft. With products now exported globally, their skill and dedication has begun to attract a new generation of hand-carvers ensuring the future of this craft.
