Daan Samuels

Daan's hand carved, wooden birds have become well known on the West Coast.

in 2008, Daan's "Voëls op 'n Tak" was selected as one of the 10 most beautiful objects at the Design Indaba Expo at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Daan's piece came 2nd. The birds were strandlopertjies or sandpipers.

Initially Daan used driftwood to create the branches which his 'birds' perched upon but now he uses Rooikrans for the branches and pine for the birds with the occasional driftwood base for his single birds.

Daan used to carve small fishing boats too but now he sticks to birds and will often create a new 'bird sculpture' to add to his line.

He began with strandlopertjies or sandpipers which are still one of his favourite birds. He captures their essence beautifully as he does with his black oystercatchers, black winged stilts and sunbirds.

Daan, with the help of his son, Mario, makes any number of birds on branches and also single birds, either on a driftwood base or on a swing. He also makes lampshades, placing his birds around the edges with two birds on a branch inside.

Daan has been exhibiting his 'bird sculptures' with Bay Gallery since 2006. His creations have travelled all around the world as a reminder of the West Coast and bring joy and a sense of happiness to their owners.