Rudi Delago

MASTER CARVER FROM VAL GARDENA/SOUTH TYROL

Situated in the Dolomites, the valley of Val Gardena is not only well-known as a holiday destination within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also thanks chiefly to its decades-long tradition of wood carving. During the cold winter months, when work in the fields came to a standstill and families would gather indoors, carving and woodturning would occupy their time. The result was small figurines made of stone pine wood (pinus cembra) that were taken and sold by pedlars across the globe, where they achieved great popularity.

Rudi Delago is descended from one of Val Gardena’s families of carvers and woodturners, and became interested in the craft as a young child. He attended the art schools in Val Gardena in the villages of Selva di Val Gardena/Sëlva and Ortisei/Urtijëi. After obtaining his secondary school certificate in applied arts and his master craftsman’s certificate in wood carving, he turned his passion into a career. Today, he lives and works in Sëlva.