Master Carver Rolf Taraldset

Rolf Taraldset was born and grew up in Hornindal, a small municipality by Hornindalsvatnet lake in Nordfjord in Western Norway. Here he has his daily work in his woodcarving workshop today.

Rolf has been working with woodcarving since childhood. Already at the age of five he made his first cuts in the workshop of his father Bjarne. Bjarne Taraldset was a professional woodcarver who trained with Daniel Hagerup, a well-known woodcarver and sculptor who studied in Oberammergau, Germany.

Before Rolf attended Hjerleid Woodcarving School at Dovre, he worked for three years with woodcarving at home with his father. He received his journeyman's certificate in 1976 and later also his master's certificate.

The work includes both furniture and woodcarving in many classic styles. Rolf does every step of the work himself, from design and sketches to shaping and surface treatment of the final product. The products range from small casting models to large ornamental decorations. Portraits, sculptures and reliefs in three-dimensional form are work that Rolf enjoys working with, as well as baroque and rococo furniture.

Rolf often teaches woodcarving classes. His first class was in 1976 when he himself was studying at Dovre. Since then he has held countless classes both in Norway and abroad. Many of the students return year after year.