Ancient Art of Stone

Together with an amazing team of local artists and contractors, I’ve created a beautiful mountaintop home on the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver, British Columbia. The design of this home is based upon the seamless introduction of natural materials into every aspect of its construction. Of all the natural features in the post-and-beam red cedar log construction, the most important are two spectacular stone fireplaces. We were incredibly fortunate to find Andreas and Naomi Kunert, local artists in the area, to create these commissioned pieces of art. Andreas and I worked closely during design to agree upon the ways in which these fireplaces needed to bring the surrounding environment literally into the home, and he used those design priorities along with his own creativity to deliver two “jaw-dropping” features for our home. Each tells a rich story that pulls every one of our guests into the warmth and natural beauty we’ve been able to create for them. As a leader within Disney’s Imagineering studio, I have the privilege of working on many of its richest projects and with some of the world’s finest artists. As such, my expectations for this home and it’s creators were very high. Without question those expectations were exceeded by the extraordinary work done by Andreas and Naomi. My family and our guests will get deep joy from their creations for many years to come. Craig Russell Walt Disney Imagineering Los Angeles, Ca

Ancient Art of Stone is one of the Best Design/Build stone studios in the industry. Through my commercial stone yard, which I recently sold, I have had the pleasure of working with Andreas on many projects over the past 30 years. Andreas and his wife Naomi dedicate themselves to a standard of excellence which equals and often surpasses, in scale and in workmanship, the finest in the business. With their unique 8,000 square foot design and sculpture studio, they have set the bar so high most would not even try to emulate them. Recently winning the International Pinnacle Award of Excellence from the Natural Stone Institute attests to this. I would recommend Ancient Art of Stone for anyone seeking the highest quality natural stone project of any size, anywhere.

As a documentary and feature film production company owner, and as a client, I have had the rare experience of watching Ancient Art of Stone grow into one of the foremost creative stone studios in the world. I have witnessed their unique approach to client interviews and presentations through their design build processes. The attention to creative detail which Andreas and Naomi deliver is so remarkable it defies comparison. The personal references within the work relating to their clients needs is astounding. I would recommend Ancient Art of Stone to anyone seeking a natural stone installation completely unique in design and application. Sincerely, David Malysheff

Ancient Art of Stone is the culmination of creativity and work ethic combined with deep understanding of the properties of stone both physical and emotional. The results show as amazing works on first sight and get ever more amazing the deeper you look.

We have worked with Andreas and Naomi as a supplier of setting materials to many of their projects. Seeing their art work coming together is a real treat and special experience. Having an opportunity to meet some of their past clients at a open house I was also able to see first hand the appreciation their customers have for the work they do. For the clients, it's more than just a feature in their home, it's a centrepiece that they are proud to display and to show.

Ancient Art of Stone provides a stunning finished product. Their work is truly one of a kind and is unlike anything you have ever seen before. Andreas's attention to detail and finished product is unmatched. I look forward to working with their team again!

Hello, I have not seen your work before. I am in love! I can see your commitment to detail, energy and purpose. I hope that we might be able to connect some time. I, also celebrate the ancient beauty of stone. However, I reveal the primordial spirit from within and after using pigments from the earth, then making a concrete or driftwood base, display it as a piece of art. I have been lucky enough to participate in many larger projects such as a monument, fireplaces, spiritual value and design for Thunderbird House in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I would love to see what a piece of mine might look with your work as a base. You both really "rocked" my world, thank you for your precious gifts. In Spirit, Natalie

As General Manager of the Nanaimo Museum I had the unique experience watching Andreas as he created the beautiful wall that graces the entrance of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre-also the entrance to the Nanaimo Museum. I first noticed and was struck by the beauty of his work may years earlier at a private residence in Nanaimo. It was a rare treat watching the wall grow from a pile of stones to this beautiful, seemingly living work of art that now regularly draws expressions of amazement. This substantial work of art, 32‘ wide and 8‘ high, is the cornerstone of our $110 million conference center and museum. In this context, Andreas art speaks for a whole community. Working with the design professionals, architects, structural engineers and contractors, Andreas was careful to incorporate professional direction so that the art was safe, beautiful and now enjoys international acclaim. Personally it was a great pleasure working with him as he was always accommodating, courteous and approachable. I have since had the unique opportunity to discuss other public commissions with Andreas and his wife Naomi and thus have come to find their teamwork to be flexible, dynamic and cohesive. In fact I have found them to have an uncanny ability to bring larger groups of people together into the same vision, when before there was division and scattered goals. I would strongly encourage anyone seeking a creative, unique stone art installation to contact this team. With Andreas and Naomi what you see is what you get, brilliant, approachable, talented, practical and attuned. In providing this reference for Andreas and Naomi Kunert knowing that whomever comes in contact with them will leave richer for the experience alone.

We had the pleasure of working with Andreas and Naomi Kunert of Ancient Art of Stone. A professional team I would highly recommend if you are seeking unique and creative stone work. We recently worked with Andreas and Naomi on a project in Pierre South Dakota. My company Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studios was brought on the project to do taxidermy dioramas and Ancient Art of Stone was brought on the project to build two stone fireplaces a mosaic wall and on indoor water feature. The pieces Andreas and Naomi created in their studio and then delivered to the home we were working on were incredible the attention to detail was perfect and the thought that they put into every stone and every shape was inspiring. After they arrived on the project their main focus was to make sure the homeowner was happy, they were very accommodating to his every wish and he could not have been happier with the work they did for him. Working with Andreas and Naomi was a pleasure they are very hard working, kind and considerate people with very optimistic attitudes. We would recommend Andreas and Naomi of Ancient Art of Stone to anyone for commissions in stone

We had the amazing experience of working with Andreas and Naomi Kunert of Ancient Art of Stone, spanning over the past two years. Our mutual client asked them to design and create two completely unique wood burning fireplaces, a 35’ mosaic wall and a 10’ water feature for the dining room. The designs came in and the client was floored. He didn’t ask them to change a thing and commissioned them immediately. They worked in their studio creating the elements in stone over the span of the following year. Shipping them to our shop ready for installation. The installations were large, complex and physically challenging, with every challenge being met with a "no problem" approach to the solution. During the year of creating the pieces and aligning their magnificent stone works with other aspects of the home being built, we were taken aback by their professionalism and kindness. They reflected our clients tastes and wishes beyond his requests and entire project surpassed all expectations. Andreas and Naomi were so great to work with, guiding us through the assembly of all the installations, they are truly a marvel. The pieces are so beautiful and unique, bringing together stones and crystals from all over the world in designs of profound meaning. They truly became the anchors to the entire 6,000 sq. ft. home. Andreas and Naomi are talented beyond this world. They have a very approachable nature, and are flexible to work with. From my research, they are the very best in the world. I highly recommend anyone wanting a unique stone feature for your home, business, or for public view, to contact Ancient Art of Stone.

My experience with working with Andreas Kunert and Naomi Zettl from the Ancient Art of Stone was professional, transparent and pleasant. They were very helpful in helping me import my commissioned piece into Germany. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to own a masterpiece from these two artists and look forward to seeing their future works. In gratitude, Sarah Bürkle

I was the overall project manager and Director of Engineering for a large road reconstruction project in View Royal, BC, Canada. I had the pleasure of working with Andreas and Naomi in 2010/2011 as they created a wonderful rock mural on a large retaining wall at the side of the main road project. I was immensely impressed with the ability of such a talented artist as Andreas to work within a noisy construction site while keeping his focus and producing such a fantastic work of art. All of the construction workers and the general public were able to see this wonderful creation take form, and Andreas was very engaging with the passers-by that wanted to "meet the artist". Andreas and Naomi completed their part of the project on time and within budget. The rock mural is unquestionably the best public art that has ever been created in the Victoria area. Pictures of this wonderful mural can be viewed at: https://www.ancientartofstone.com/our-portfolio/murals-and-walls/ I highly recommend this amazing artist.