Command
2016 - Signature Commission
Material
Douglas fir (laminated backer), padauk, basswood, pyrography.
Multi-piece construction combining carved relief, pierced elements, and scaled replication. Approximately 24” wide.
Context
Command was created as a commissioned tribute to Frank Dwyer, who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 2403 Auxiliary Unit. The composition integrates the unit’s crest at the center of the work and a to-scale rendering of a Avro Lancaster bomber, based on technical drawings sourced from the Bomber Command Museum of Canada.
The backing structure echoes the geometry of the RCAF roundel, while the stylized maple leaf is formed from laminated padauk and basswood. The carved cloud field is a single continuous piece of Douglas fir, pierced to allow light to pass through — producing shifting shadows that change with the time of day. The darkened surface tones are created through pyrography alone, adding depth and atmosphere without the use of pigment or stain.
Intent
The intent of Command was to create a commemorative work recognizing a lifetime of service — both in wartime and in community. Commissioned as a Volunteer of the Year award, the piece honors not only Frank Dwyer’s military service with the Royal Canadian Air Force 2403 Auxiliary Unit, but also his continued commitment to volunteerism and his role in helping establish the Bomber Command Museum of Canada.
Rather than presenting a literal narrative, the work layers emblem, aircraft, and environment into a unified composition that speaks to duty, sacrifice, and legacy. The pierced clouds introduce a dynamic relationship between the carving and its environment — as light shifts, the work subtly transforms, reinforcing the passage of time and the enduring impact of service. The use of historical technical drawings grounds the aircraft in precision and respect for engineering, while the crest and maple leaf anchor the narrative in identity, heritage, and remembrance.
