Andrew Hemus

The art of wood bending

• Andrew uses a steam bending technique in creating his curved wooden designs
• Nature is a major source of inspiration for his pieces
• He opened his workshop in 2017

Andrew Hemus specialises in crafting furniture, sculptures and lighting that highlight the natural beauty of wood. Trained in art and design in the UK, Andrew first worked with ceramics and metal sculpture before being drawn to woodworking for its warmth and versatility. His approach combines traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, exploring the boundaries of form and function. One of Andrew's main techniques is steam bending, a method that allows wood to take on organic and fluid shapes. Each piece is carefully designed and handcrafted with respect to the balance of wood and structure. Committed to an ethical approach, Andrew collaborates with local artisans to ensure that each creation respects the material, the craftsmanship and the environment at the same time. "Rather than following trends, I favour the creation of timeless objects," he explains.

Interview

©All rights reserved

©All rights reserved

What are your main sources of inspiration

I really like the Art Nouveau period. It influences my work with curves and their delicate attributes. I have sometimes been compared to a Gaudi, a Guimard or a Horta of the 21st century. This is very flattering, but at the same time a heavy responsibility to bear!

How do you define your craft?

I think I am both a cabinetmaker and a designer at once, but only in my creations. I am above all am artist at heart. I create more for myself rather than for others. The relationship I have with my practice is extremely important to me. Each of my creations tells a story that is often explained by the name I give it.

Why choose wood bending?

I am particularly fond of curves and arcs. I do not find satisfaction in simply carving a piece of furniture to give it a curve. Bending it grants the material a certain type of malleability. It opens the door for a much more poetic approach to the object and its creativity.

What are the limits of this technique?

The only limits that exist are the ones you impose on yourself! Wood submits to constraints that we give it, which is why always want to push its boundaries. I want to create with unlimited possibilities, which is what led me to specialise in the different techniques of wood bending.

Andrew Hemus is an : he began his career in 2010

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