Creating sculptures out of driftwood is a unique art form that requires immense craftsmanship. Subir Chakravorty has nurtured his love for this fascinating artwork since 2009. It has been two months since Subir has come to Bangalore. And he continues to create beautiful pieces of driftwood art.
Subir, who lived in Rishikesh for thirty years and worked as a bank officer, says he was always drawn to the natural beauty of driftwood. “It was in the 1990s that I discovered my love for driftwood. Initially, I used to only collect driftwood. But from 2009, after I retired, I pursued driftwood art as a full-time hobby.” Driftwood art, ever since, has been abiding passion for Subir. He adds that the Delhi-based artist, Ashok Bhowmick is one of his inspirations.
Subir spends hours, sometimes even months, engrossed in creating poetic images. “When I see the wood, I get a frame in mind on how I would like to chisel it. Sometimes an idea comes quickly, at other times, it takes time.”
The driftwood—wood that has been washed ashore by rain, tides or waves— Subir uses for his art is shaped by the Source Rivers of the Ganges: Bhagirath and Alakananda. “Driftwood is found all year round in Rishikesh, but a lot more is found by the end of August, after the monsoons.”
As he ushers me into his neat and organised workspace, I get a glimpse of his vast artistic mind. His love for wildlife and nature find expression in his work. There are stunning large, life-like lion, deer, elephant, camel, a bird on a branch, mother and child sculptures. There are also miniatures adorning one space. He has also crafted a sculpture of Rabindranath Tagore that reveals his wide-ranging artistic skills. Every piece is a unique work of art. No piece even remotely resembles the other. “In this art work, you cannot replicate or a make a clone. It depends completely on the skill of the sculptor.” Some pieces are varnished with lacquer, others are polished, yet every sculpture retains the essence of the original wood. “I make sculptures out of one piece of driftwood. The wood in itself is quite sturdy. I first treat the wood.
Then I delete the branches, not altering the original structure, and chisel the sculpture, accordingly.”
The pieces depict Subir’s philosophy on life. “I am not bound by anything. I am a free spirit. I want the viewer to enjoy my work, they can choose to interpret my sculptures the way they want to,” says a smiling Subir. He is also looking to exhibit his art work in Bangalore.
Subir also has a love for photography and music. “I play the mandolin and mouth organ. I also have stamp and coin collections.” Visit Subir’s Facebook page, Driftwood by SUBIR.