Reka in Skagaströnd, Iceland

Illuminated driftwood forest in Iceland. The piece is located in a town called Skagaströnd, about 5 hours north of Reykjavik. The sculpture is made from 10 pieces of Icelandic driftwood and uses over 50 bulbs to illuminate the small grove.

This project is inspired by the journey driftwood takes in getting to Iceland. The entire country was deforested by vikings 1000 years ago so it has a special and magical place in history. 

The driftwood originates mostly from the Boreal Forest of Siberia where the wood flows into the sea, gets trapped in ice and floats for 6 - 15 years before ending up on the shores of Iceland. Driftwood's been a big deal in Icelandic culture and they have used it for everything from building churches and houses to making coffins and ships. I wanted to make a sculpture that honors this natural phenomenon and brings the driftwood to life.

Icelandic research scientist,  Olafur Eggertson once said “If it hadn’t been for the driftwood, people would have just not survived in Iceland.”

This piece was funded by NES Artist Residency in January of 2024.