Based in Clane, County Kildare, sculptor Larry Harney has spent over three decades working with Irish bog oak—an ancient, prehistoric wood deeply connected to the culture and landscape of Ireland. Following an early career in public service, Harney transitioned into a full-time artistic practice, operating a quiet studio where he uncovers shapes preserved in the earth for thousands of years. His work bridges ancient Irish history and modern interior design. Each of his unique sculptures stands as a living legacy, establishing a direct physical link to the land long before the arrival of the island’s first human settlers.

Rather than forcing strict shapes or cutting the material into recognizable figures, Harney prefers a style of absolute restraint that suggests a form rather than demanding it. He reads the natural curves, deep cracks, and raw contours already present within each block, allowing the wood itself to decide the final sculpture. The process is slow and patient, requiring raw blocks to air-dry for two to three years before carving can begin. Through hours of hand-sanding, Harney removes the rough external layers to expose a dense, deep-black texture, transforming old timber into tactile, abstract interior objects designed to capture light and shadow.

The physical weight and presence of Harney’s work come entirely from the unique history of true Irish bog oak, carbon-dated to nearly 5,000 years old—making this wood older than the Pyramids of Egypt. Perfectly preserved by the natural conditions of Ireland’s ancient bogs, this rare wood is treated by Harney as a living archive of the landscape's memory. His individual sculptures have built a strong global reputation, with major works held in private international collections alongside permanent cultural symbols created for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the National Cultural Institute of Ireland). His notable public and corporate installations include custom works for the European Parliament, National Geographic, World Rugby, and the Intel Corporation.