Alex Witcombe is a Vancouver Island–based sculptor known for coast‑inspired creations made almost entirely from driftwood. His most ambitious work, Edward the Beetle, is a full‑size 1967 VW Beetle with functional doors, built from collected driftwood and shaped with patience, humor and a few “Bloody Hell!” moments along the way.
The sculpture became deeply personal. During its creation, Alex’s father, Allan Edward Witcombe, passed away after weeks in hospital under difficult Covid‑19 restrictions. Alex continued updating him through window visits, and his father’s eyes lit up every time he saw the Beetle’s progress. Alex crafted a driftwood license plate with his father’s initials, A.E.W., intending to bring it to his next visit. His father passed peacefully the day before, and the plate now sits proudly on Edward the Beetle.
“If he had a creative project in mind, he just went ahead and did it.”
Alex credits his father for passing down a fearless creative spirit — the belief that any idea can be built, learned or figured out. Even when the process feels a bit unsertain, Alex works through it with determination and warmth. Small misstakes in the wood only add character to his sculptures.
His driftwood work continues to grow in scale and emotion, blending coastal materials with personal stories and a strong sense of place.
- Vancouver Island driftwood sculptor known for large, coast‑inspired creations.
- Creator of Edward the Beetle, a full‑size driftwood VW honoring his late father.
- Builds with a “can‑do” spirit learned from his dad, embracing creativity and persistence.
Driftwood bends beneath the tide,
holding memory in its grain.
A quiet car becomes a heart,
carved with love through loss and rain.
