The word drift means a slow and continuous movement from one place to another by a current of air or water. Driftwoods are ‘pieces of wood’ of any size or shape ‘which are floating on the sea or have been washed ashore.’ One also can find them on the banks of rivers, lakes and streams.
Collectors of driftwoods usually pick them up from sea shores, and river banks, but they can also be found at the foot of slanting slopes covered with trees, as in the mountainous regions. The rainwater pouring down carries away the fallen branches or pieces of dead trees and deposits them at the foothills.
In deserts, strong winds can do the same trick on pieces of wood as the water does in the sea or river.
While drifting away by the current of water or air, the woods are slowly rubbed and polished by the element to get their unique and distinctive shape and texture.
Most driftwood are plain-looking pieces of wood, but some, not many in numbers, have unique shapes, abstract or figurative, which attract the attention of driftwood art connoisseurs all over the world. The artist here is Mother Nature, but one has to have an artist’s eye to find and appreciate them.
My interest in driftwood art grew when I was young and in school. I chanced upon a book written in Bangla, called – ‘Dokkhiner Baranda’ (দক্ষিনের বারান্দা) meaning ‘the south facing porch’ written by Mohonlal Gongopadhyae; grandson of the world-famous artist and pioneer in Indian style of painting, Abanindranath Thakur (or Tagore).
A rare find from Ghatshila, Jharkhand.
In the book Mohanlal described how his grandfather would play with pieces of driftwood, different kinds of roots or any such objects found naturally, sculpting and giving them shapes and calling them his ‘kutum’- relatives. Thus he coined the word ‘kutum katam’ which later became popular as katum kutum. Katam means a form or structure.
The same piece, seen from a different angle.
So Katum kutum became the umbrella term for the type of wood curving art which, along with tree or bamboo roots, tree branches and other parts of trees also includes driftwood. My collection falls into this category.
Driftwoods can be classified according to their origin. Some of the most common sources of driftwood include
Mangroves
Four types of mangroves grow in coastal areas. The driftwoods from these trees or shrubs are commonly used in aquariums and other decorative applications.
Dead trees
Rivers and streams are the places, where they are often found. These driftwoods are good to use for furniture and can be used as decorative pieces.
A shipwreck, or manmade structures can also be the source of driftwoods.
Preparation and Preservation
The driftwood must be thoroughly cleaned of its dirt and debris with a stiff brush. It can be cleaned with soap and water afterwards. After cleaning, the piece should be dried completely. Sometimes the driftwood is bleached, but that’s a personal choice.
The driftwood can be treated with a wood preservative. One has to choose a product which is safe for indoor use.
Uses of Driftwood
- Driftwood can be used in home décor and art.
2. Artistic expressions are achieved by sculpting a piece of driftwood. Sometimes very little intervention is needed to get the result you want.
3. One can also use several smaller pieces to create an artwork.
4. Driftwoods can be used as wall hanging.
5. They can be used in making Furniture. Big pieces of driftwood can be used to make custom-made Tables and benches.
6. Crafts – Picture frames, candle holders and many more items can be made using driftwood. You have to let loose your creative imagination.
Other than the uses mentioned above, driftwood can be used in landscaping and garden design.
Driftwoods are not only useful as art décor but they also have their role to play in the environment. They are an important component of the ecosystem. Scattered driftwoods all over the beach may look like a nuisance to some, but they are not. They stabilize sandy beaches and give shelter to several small creatures and birds. Partially submerged driftwood provides shelter to aquatic plants, fishes and other animals.
