Artist Statement

My practice centres on soapstone as both material and collaborator. Drawn to its ancient origins and tactile softness, I carve slowly, allowing the stone’s natural grain, colour, and resistance to guide each form. Through sculptures of fauna—birds, mammals, and creatures both familiar and overlooked—I explore the quiet intelligence and resilience of the natural world. Each animal is not a literal replica, but an interpretation shaped by touch, intuition, and close observation.

Carving is an act of listening: to the stone, to the animal’s gesture, and to the rhythm of my own hands. Marks are left visible, honouring process and time rather than perfection. My work reflects a respect for balance between strength and vulnerability, permanence and fragility. By translating living forms into enduring stone, I seek to create intimate objects that invite contemplation, encourage connection with nature, and remind us of our shared place within it.

Biography

Based in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Jason Benny is a soapstone carver whose work is deeply influenced by nature. Living and working alongside his wife and their dog, he draws daily inspiration from the rhythms of small-town life, the nearby forests, and the tidal movements of the Bay of Fundy.

He began carving soapstone through a hands-on exploration of the material, developing a practice rooted in patience, observation, and respect for natural forms. His sculptures primarily focus on fauna, capturing the character and spirit of animals through simplified shapes and expressive surfaces. Each piece reflects a balance between intentional design and the stone’s inherent qualities, allowing colour, texture, and grain to guide the final form. Through his work, he seeks to create timeless, tactile objects that foster a quiet connection between people, animals, and place.