Marian Bruce

“I gather the driftwood from some of the most wild, remote and beautiful parts of Scotland. To me these beautiful ancient roots and branches evoke the elemental forces that have also sculpted the Scottish landscape. Beaten by waves, pounded by rain and bleached by sun, the driftwood is moulded into forms not possible through human workmanship. Each piece represents nature’s unique interpretation of sculpture, gradually fashioned through years of passing seasons. The driftwood is also a piece of Scotland’s heritage – having been formed from trees more than 100 years old that grew in the ancient Caledonian forests.

My driftwood pictures are inspired by the individual shape and texture of the driftwood itself. Some spectacular pieces are mounted individually or in small groups to form simple, striking collages. Most are abstract but some are representational of natural forms e.g. fish or the moon. More complex arrangements often have a theme suggested by a central piece. It is compelling work arranging the pieces, which almost seem to acquire a life of their own when I start to work with them.

My aim is to use this renewable, natural art as a means of stimulating interest in Scottish natural heritage and conservation and regeneration of our native woodlands.
I am dedicated to the restoration of the forests from which the driftwood is formed. Ten percent of the profits of Driftwood Scotland go to environmental charities dedicated to maintaining and re-generating native woodlands in Scotland. Initially I am funding work at Ledmore and Migdale ancient pinewood in the Highlands in partnership with the Woodland Trust”.

Marian Bruce is a Wellcome Trust Biodiversity Research Fellow in Bio-medical Sciences at Glasgow University. She works on the genetics and population structure of malaria parasites. Her current work focuses on Malawi but she has also worked in Zambia and Papua New Guinea. She lives in Stirling with her husband and two children

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