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Artist Transforms Driftwood into Stunning Sculptures of Animals in Motion

Sculptor James Doran-Webb uses pieces of driftwood to form stunning creatures that look as though they're in motion. In a scale that's larger than life, rabbits, horses, and birds appear to be in mid hop, gallop, and flap. Webb's work with the highly-textured wood is methodical, and he fuses many small pieces to mimic large swaths of hair or fur. He produces the energetic lines that keep our eyes moving and evoke a dramatic feel–with just a glance, we understand the incredible power of these animals.

To craft his gorgeous artwork, Webb collects driftwood of varying sizes that form along the shorelines and riverbeds of the Philippines. The wood is from a number of indigenous hearty species, which were all dense enough to withstand many years of extreme tropical climate and intense frosts.

Webb has been building with this chosen material since the early 2000s, and he has created an extensive portfolio since that time. He's currently preparing for a solo exhibition at The Contemporary Fine Art Gallery Eton, opening in December 2015.

James Doran-Webb: Website | Facebook

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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