The Creative Energy of Ed and Barb Ramsay and the Worlds Best Wombats from Tasmania

Ed and Barb Ramsay are the creative partnership behind The Edge of Nature Tasmania, a Franklin‑based studio devoted to sculpting the quiet soul of Tasmanian wildlife from the island’s most iconic timbers. Working side by side for more than two decades, the Ramsays have developed a shared artistic language that blends structural mastery with fine‑art sensitivity, resulting in pieces that feel both grounded in nature and alive with character.

Ed’s background in sculptured furniture and large‑scale timber work gives their creations a strong architectural foundation. He approaches each block of Huon pine, sassafras, or myrtle with an intuitive understanding of grain, weight, and form, shaping the initial stance and presence of every animal. His work honours the timber itself—its history, its imperfections, and its quiet resilience.

Barb brings a complementary sensibility shaped by her training in fine arts, design, and illustration. Her hand refines the curves, softens the transitions, and draws out the emotional expression that has become the hallmark of their wildlife sculptures. She is the storyteller of the studio, imbuing each piece with warmth, personality, and a sense of gentle encounter. Her recent work as a children’s book author further deepens this narrative thread.

Together, the Ramsays create sculptures that invite touch, contemplation, and connection. Their wombats—perhaps their most beloved works—embody this partnership perfectly: solid yet tender, simple yet deeply expressive, shaped by two distinct artistic visions that meet in harmony.

Working from their home studio surrounded by forest and river, Ed and Barb carve each piece from start to finish themselves. Nothing is outsourced; nothing is rushed. Every sculpture passes “only through the hands of a Ramsay,” carrying with it the intimacy of a shared craft and a shared life.