Darren Appiagyei

Woodturner

©Darren Appiagyei

©Jermaine Miller

The intrinsic beauty of wood

Darren's passions are exploring types of wood and Ghanaian woodcarving
He has a degree in 3D Design from Camberwell College of the Arts, London
YouTube’s videos helped him to master his skills

Oak burr vessels, Banksia (an Australian wildflower) nut jars and vases are all examples of exotic materials that London-based Darren Appiagyei embraces. He understands quality and enhancing the intrinsic beauty of the wood is what woodturning is all about. Always creative and fascinated by nature since a young age, he discovered woodturning while studying 3D Design at Camberwell College of the Arts and in 2017 he established InTheGrain. Inspired by Ghanaian woodcarving, he creates bespoke pieces with a wood orientated theme and inspired by everyday life. Because nature is what inspires him. “It’s the little things we grow accustomed to, the intricate grain on our front door, the bark of the tree and the variation in texture on pavements.”

Interview

©Jermaine Miller

©Jermaine Miller

When did you discover woodturning?: I came across woodturning almost accidently. I had a unit in my second year at Camberwell College where I had to develop a skill and – the opportunist that I am – I saw that the lathe was free a lot of the time. The aim was to get my work done as soon as possible, so I could pursue my other passion: table tennis.
What intrigued you the most about this craft?: I found the process very therapeutic and calming. It was the unravelling of the grains as I carved into the wood, the textures and learning about the different densities of different woods. Considering my limited skill, it was also amazing to see the wood turning into something functional.
How do your skills honour the wood?: I use the pyrographic machine to highlight the variation of tones in the wood and my main aim when making, is to embrace the intrinsic beauty of the wood instead of trying to refine or polish the wood. Whether it be a crack, a knot or simply the grain.
Is your craft linked to the territory?: Location is a key aspect to my practice. Apart from the Banksia vessels (Banksia is an Australian wildflower), the woods I use are locally sourced and have naturally fallen, with tree surgeons dumping wood they have cut down to the woodlands farm where I source my wood.

Darren Appiagyei is a rising star: he began his career in 2017