KIMBERLY COLACO
On a rainy, cloudy day in September 2018, 54-year-old, Xavier Fernandes from Per-Seraulim, was taking a walk on a beach down South, when he stumbled upon a log of wood, which had drifted to the shore.
He picked it up, examined it carefully, and then it struck him that he could turn it into a manger for a Christmas crib. It was a beginning, and since then, there has been no stopping this artist from making exquisite and unique mangers for Christmas.
A LENGTHY PROCESS
“I visit the beaches during the monsoons, and when I find logs of wood that have drifted from the sea, I pick them up and turn them into mangers,” says this talented man, on whose hands, one can see cuts, bruises and sawdust from the artworks.
Every piece is made with a lot of thought. From finding a piece of wood to conceptualising the final product, it takes a lot of time, perhaps longer than making it.
“You have a piece of wood, but carving it and making it look like exactly the way you want takes technique and skill. It takes me more than a day or two to make one manger. But, I like to focus on many at a time,” says the introverted wood artist.
This year, Xavier started making mangers in October. He also makes accompanying art pieces for the manger – miniature bullock carts, racks with pottery, ladders and more – all at his home.
FOCUSING ON EVERY TINY DETAIL
Xavier prefers to have his work done with precision. “It all might look simple and easy to make, but it takes a lot of detailing," says he.
"I try not to have a similar looking manger, and in most cases I can’t, because it depends on the wood I get. The pots are made from local fruits," he explains.
"Most of the pots break while carving, so if I make five, I can only use one. They are very delicate to handle," he continues.
"The ladders, too, are made with fine sticks and each step is fixed into the ladder – none of the steps are stuck by glue,” says Xavier with a sense of accomplishment.
Last year, Xavier sold around 80 mangers within a week. His wife, Anita, says, “Even on Christmas Eve, Xavier was busy carving some cribs.”
FAMILY SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL
Working as an administrator in the Middle East, Xavier had given up on his skill, until he had to undergo a medical emergency, as a result of which, he had to shift back to Goa.
“My wife is my biggest support, from encouraging me to helping me with making the cribs, to coaxing me take it up. My brothers, too, are very artistic; so was my father. I also have a few very generous and helpful neighbours, like Saturnino Rodrigues,” he shares.
His two children do show interest in the art, but Xavier loves to work undisturbed.
“I work late at night, and I don’t like to be disturbed in the morning. However, my wife keeps bothering me to run errands!” he says as he turns to give her his cutest smile.
And, how does Xavier go about selling the creative cribs he makes? His brother-in-law, based in Mumbai, helped him promote a few of the mangers in Mumbai, and these were sold quickly.
And, social media too has played a major role in promoting his business.
If you're looking to purchase a unique driftwood crib, Xavier Fernandes can be contacted on +91 83081 84261