Andamooka Tiger

The Andamooka Tiger is a 1.2-tonne life-sized sculpture completed in 2022 by Australian sculptor Cal the Stoner. It is an example the Intricarved method.

Aesthetic and structural qualities

This piece incorporates Andamooka's rainbow matrix opal, with claws, canines, tail tips, and eyes made from opal to give it lifelike appearance. This sculpture required 8,000 hours to complete.

Intricarved method

Created in 2011, the Intricarved method is an approach to stone sculpture where intricate images and patterns emerge naturally from the colour variations within a single type of stone. This technique requires detailed planning and precision, as the stones used must have consistent colour throughout each piece to maintain visual flow.

Intricarving involves selecting large stones, often Grampians sandstone and meticulously carving interlocking pieces. Cal uses hammers and chisels to shape each segment, ensuring they fit together without needing mortar or additional binding materials.

Each segment must align with neighbouring pieces to maintain the overall image, often involving thousands of carved segments. For example, in his work Andamooka Tiger, over 2,000 individual pieces were carved and fitted.

One defining characteristic of Intricarved sculptures is the depth and strength of each piece. Unlike thin facades or tiles, each segment has a substantial thickness, ranging from 25mm to 100mm, contributing to the sculpture's durability. This ensures that each piece contributes to the aesthetic appeal and reinforces the structure, making it virtually impossible for segments to loosen over time.