Hudson Flotsam

Practice & background

Hudson Flotsam makes sculptures and objects from wood found in New York: along the Hudson River, in Central Park, on sidewalks and among discarded materials. Working under this public artist name, he places the circulation of urban materials at the center of his practice.

In his AGI Fine Art statement, he describes the river as a collaborator. Driftwood shapes, tidal change and locally found staining materials inform the work. As a self-taught woodworker, he emphasizes learning from materials rather than merely imposing a predetermined form.

Who Art You makes that approach tangible: he studies a branch’s end grain and discoloration, then turns, cuts or carves it into a cup or small vase. His advice to a younger self is to slow down, allowing observation to come before the urge to finish.

Looking at the work

The grain, shape and accumulated traces of found urban wood become intimate sculptural objects.