Braňo Klocáň

Leatherworker

©Brano Klocan

The no-machine man

Braňo came into his craft later in life and is self-taught
All of his products are handcrafted without machine intervention
He uses his study as his workshop

Since his childhood, Braňo Klocáň has had a rich imagination and aesthetic sense, and has shown a tenacious urge to create with his hands.He studied mechanical engineering first, and ventured through diverse artistic realms before reaching leatherwork, from drawing and painting, through to web design and photography, ceramics and graphic printing. Braňo felt that something was still missing. Today he makes leather goods entirely by hand, and has a strong conviction against using any machinery at all. With a keen eye for detail and meticulous precision, he strives for continual improvement. Each piece handcrafted by Braňo is a testimony to patience and reflects his ambition to create artistic pieces with a function.

Interview

©Brano Klocan

©Brano Klocan

What was the first item you channelled your creativity into?: It was a little purse for my daughter and I still have it. It was the first time I tried saddle stitching, and I invented a clasp with no metal components. The edges are unworked because I did not know how to do it at that time. But I loved the idea of making a functional piece of art for everyday use with a few simple hand tools.
Could you guide us through your creative process?: I work exclusively with the highest quality materials, without the use of machines. It is in handmade work that the magic of my products is hidden. Thinning leather by hand and saddle stitching are the two most demanding techniques for concentration and patience.
How do you balance creative vision with commercial demands?: I strive to make genuine and timeless products that are not subject to fashion trends. Products that will serve their owner for many years and that can be inherited by the next generation. With daily usage, each piece acquires its own unique patina and character. Hence, my products age into beauty.
What sources of inspiration do you draw on?: Like most of us, from the internet. But to copy someone is against my beliefs. Rather, I focus on finding small details and functional elements, which I adapt to my aesthetic. I am still trying to find my own signature.

Braňo Klocáň is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2015