Collection: Eugene Archie

Eugene Archie, a native of Amherst, Virginia, is a 62-year-old self-taught wood sculptor with over twenty years of experience in carving wood sculptures. He began his sculpting journey by creating wooden necklaces from small pieces of wood collected from the banks of the James River.

One day, while fishing, he came across a large piece of driftwood that resonated with him. He thought to himself, “If I can carve something beautiful from a small piece of wood, why not a larger piece?” He took the driftwood home and, using a hammer and a wood chisel, created his first large sculpture. To Eugene, a dirty piece of wood is not just a discarded object; it is a canvas waiting for an image to emerge and be seen. His largest sculpture stands an impressive ten feet tall.
Eugene is uncertain about the origins of his sculpting talent but suspects it may be linked to his father. Although he doesn't know much about him, he recalls that his father's complexion was ebony, leading him to believe his father might have been from Haiti or some part of Africa. Through his art, Eugene pays homage to the African roots of his ancestors. In addition to sculpting, Eugene works in home improvement. For him, sculpting represents a unique blend of meditation and creativity. He is also a father of four children and has four grandchildren.