ALDONA: Augustin Coelho’s journey into the world of wood crafting began when he was just 20 years old. Hailing from Moira, Catollim, also known as Tarrir, Augustin is a natural artist who finds inspiration in the natural world around him. He specialises in creating beautiful works of art out of natural wood, which he calls ‘Arborik’.
“I get my wood from people who cut trees,” Augustin explains. “I discover the art in the roots and study them to find the design that is hidden within. Sometimes, it takes a lot of time to identify a shape or design, but I find it incredibly rewarding when I finally do.”
Augustin’s interest in wood crafting began when he saw a root that had been turned into a showpiece, in someone’s home. He became fascinated with collecting these natural pieces of art and started displaying them in his own home.
One day, a friend visited him and pointed out a shape on one of his roots that Augustin had never noticed before. As he turned the root around, he saw the shape of a beggar with no legs. This discovery opened up a whole new world of possibilities for Augustin, and he began to see the beauty and meaning in the natural shapes and designs of the wood.
Over the past 29 years, Augustin has perfected his craft, creating stunning works of art that showcase the hidden beauty of natural wood. He specializes in creating designs of human faces, animals, and other natural shapes that he finds in the roots and branches of the wood. Each piece he creates carries a clear message, and Augustin is passionate about sharing these messages with others.
Despite his talent and dedication, Augustin has faced numerous challenges in his journey as a wood crafter. “There is no immediate demand for this kind of art,” he explains. “People need to first understand and appreciate the value of it. Many people find it funny and comment that I am doing ‘time-pass’ with my art. Locals may not understand the value of it, but those few who do mostly display it in hotels and other places as unique conversation starters and antique pieces.”
Augustin has sold nearly 50 to 55 pieces of wood art and currently has around 30 to 35 art pieces at his place. In addition to selling his work, he also rents them out as showpieces for various events and exhibitions. But despite his success, he has not received any financial help or government support. He reuses the money he earns from selling his art to fund his passion.
Creating these beautiful works of art is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. Augustin spends more than three to four days identifying the design in each piece of wood and then works on it to complete the shape or design, keeping it as natural as possible. He only uses strong kinds of wood, such as Zambla and Teakwood, which can last for many years.
“I don’t use any preservatives,” he says. “My work is a natural art, and I give it a primary shape and keep the rest of it natural.”
Augustin’s work is not for everyone. It requires patience, dedication, and a passion for the natural world. Despite the lack of support and the challenges he has faced, he remains dedicated to his craft and hopes that one day, the government will come forward to support artists like him.
“When I go for any exhibition to display my art, they ask for a huge amount of money to get a stall, which is just impossible as transport to and fro is also costly,” he explains. “There has been no support from anyone, but I don’t get discouraged. I keep going, hoping that one day, good things will come my way.”
