Meet our Members: Eli Beke

1) Introduce yourself – where are you based, what do you do and how long have you been a VWA member?

I am a wood carver that works primarily with green timber based in Kinglake just outside Melbourne. I work with locally sourced and recycled timbers to produce hand carved objects such as spoons and bowls for use in the kitchen and home. It is the joy and connection that people feel when they encounter my work that keeps me making it and I have been a  proud VWA member since 2018.

2) When did you first get into your craft/practice and what was your journey to it?

I first started my practice in 2014 whilst I was still working as an Engineer for the BoM. I was working in the shed one winter night and found that it was too cold to be working wood so I came inside to carve my first spoon by the fire. A change in the direction of my life sparked a journey by bicycle across Asia over 11 months in 2016 and the experiences I had led to the decision to take my craft practice seriously and dedicate time to it.

3) Current top three music tracks you listen to or all time favourite song/artist

“Everyone” by Van Morrison

“Gentleman” by Fela Kuti

“Tezeta” Mulatu Astatke