About Master Carver Christen Dokk Smith

The blend of sweet-scented cedar and salt air is infused with inspiration as classically trained master carver, Christen Dokk Smith brings the wood to life. His hands move in rhythm with the ocean outside the open door of the historic “Carving Shed” on Chesterman Beach in Tofino, BC on Vancouver Island, Canada. That steady pulse of the sea connects Christen Dokk Smith to his Norse roots and is expressed by his contemporary Viking carving now with a west coast influence.

In Norway, Christen trained with master woodcarver Bjärte Aarseth, at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, home to iconic works of marine craftsmanship — historic Viking ships Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune. It was breathing in that heady scent of wood that first entranced Christen. “I knew as soon as I walked into the woodworking studio at the museum what I was meant to do. It was like coming home.” During his four-year wood carver’s apprenticeship, Christen trained in the classical European way of carving, focusing on Viking, Medieval, Baroque, and Rococo carving. He also learned the art of historical restoration and making high-precision replicas including recreating a 13th century Madonna and Child for a church in Biri, Norway. He completed his Degree in Wood Carving with a technical specification in Viking carving, via the museum’s partnership with the University of Oslo. Through a scholarship via the Leonardo da Vinci Program EU, he also studied at the City & Guilds of London Art School in London, England, focusing on his passion – sculpture.

In 2012, Christen moved to Tofino, BC on Canada’s west coast where he benefited from the knowledge of local First Nations master carvers. Here, he connected more deeply with salvaged old-growth wood; learning to sit in quiet contemplation and let the wood speak.

Christen accepts commissions for private and public art including decorative carving, portraiture, and sculpture.

Contact Christen

I Didn’t Set Out to Be a Master Wood Carver - It Found Me

From Norweigian Soldier to Master Carver – quite the career change. Carving is a passion I never knew I had until first setting foot in the Viking Ship Museum in Norway. It was then that I realized the beauty and power of woodcarving. I could feel the excitement swelling in my chest as I toured the museum, amazed at the intricate wood carvings on the ships. I knew in that moment that I wanted to create something beautiful like that.