Welsh-born Adam Humphreys, one of the world’s finest exponents of chainsaw sculpting, will perform a live demonstration at Bicentennial Park on Thursday from 11am to 5pm.

The artist, who has held several solo exhibitions in Australia and the UK, will be sculpting an elephant to raise public awareness for Batyr, a not-for-profit organisation that runs programs in schools and universities to educate and empower young people to speak out about mental health. 

Batyr last month opened an office in Tamworth and the sculpture will be on sale, with proceeds going towards running Batyr programs at Tamworth schools.

The elephant is Batyr’s mascot.

“Mental health has recently become very topical in Wales and it has got people thinking and talking about it more; this alone is a great start,” he said.

“Everyone needs some sort of help along the way, and if I can lend my skills to help start a conversation then that is really worthwhile. 

“Batyr has really highlighted to me that tackling the stigma around mental health is one of the most important steps to encouraging someone to get help.”

First picking up a chainsaw at 16 in his family’s woodland, Mr Humphreys paid his way through university with forestry work. 

He first started carving at 21 and has called it a full-time job for the past five years.