Adrián Pena Iglesias

XAR Arte en Madera

Woodturner

©Adrian Pena Iglesias

For the love of trees

Adrián is very attached to his homeland
He likes to turn acacia and oak wood
The first piece he made was the feet of a chest of drawers

Adrián Pena Iglesias is a tree and wood lover. Born and raised in the Vigo region, he quotes the beauty of the local landscape and its nature as his main sources of inspiration. Adrian founded his workshop Xar Madera in 2018. His early production included pieces for everyday use and decoration only, however throughout the years he has also crafted and incorporated artistic pieces into his work. He enjoys the variety and colour nuances of wood, this simple, yet versatile material. A very demanding craftsman – indeed, if an object does not satisfy his standards it is burned – he quotes that what he loves the most in his profession is to transform a humble log into a meaningful and beautiful object.

Interview

©Adrian Pena Iglesias

©Adrian Pena Iglesias

Is woodturning traditional in your homeland, Galicia?: In almost any village there used to be a woodturner, crafting anything from the simplest objects to furniture. This connection to wood and to tradition resonates with me. There is a tool called 'llerga' that is hardly used nowadays, but it is one of my tools.
If you were a tree, which tree would you like to be?: I would want to be an oak, a big, leafy tree that we call 'carballo'. Its wood is hard and resistant, and has a wide rounded, irregular crown. The nickname of my family on my father's side is 'Carballeira'.
Does the wood you use come from the Vigo region?: Yes, 80% comes from trees in the main parks of the city that are cut down because of diseases and bad weather, or from people who know me and want to remove trees from their properties. The other 20% comes from outside the area as certain pieces require specific woods that are not found here.
How would you define your work?: It is a combination of tradition and artistic innovation. My work is more design oriented, with contemporary shapes. They require the use of different techniques on top of the turning of wood, such as carving or leaving the material to deform when it is green, before working on it.

Adrián Pena Iglesias is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2008