David Plagerson

Crafting the animal kingdom

• David makes arks and small-scale animals and mythical beasts from wood
• The toys he makes are designed to enchant young and old
• His works have sparked a love of collecting in many

David Plagerson thinks of his path into toy making as a wonderful collision of happy accidents. He trained as a painter at Camberwell School of Art and taught for ten years. A training course at Goldsmiths University introduced him to the use of the band saw when woodworking. This coincided with the birth of his daughter, for whom he began to make wooden animals. He is particularly regarded for his signature Noah's arks and accompanying passengers. "These animals are lovingly carved and painted, and can include a family pet, or even obscure creatures such as the African wild ass," explains David humorously. The arks can be commissioned to reflect a client's home, and David takes great pleasure in bringing their vision to life. His skill and attention to detail are evidenced by a long list of repeat customers for his work.

Interview

©Chris Iversen

©Chris Iversen

How did you begin making toys?

I have always been interested in small hand-held objects, pleasing to both the eye and the touch, and have collected such things, including toys, from all over the world. Often these objects capture the essence of something cultural. I first perceived this in Inuit carvings.

Why are Noah's arks so special to you?

When I used to teach, my school was close to a famous collection of toys. I was fascinated by German wooden toys, in particular their Noah's arks. These spoke to my love of animals, and the story of Noah as the custodian of the animals of the world.

Do you enjoy working to commission?

My customers are a wonderful source of inspiration for me. Part of the fun of getting a commission is realising precisely what they have in mind. One of my customers enjoys finding the most exotic animals – most of which I have never heard of – for his vast collection, which covers an entire table.

Is there a particularly proud moment in your career?

I am fortunate to have made my career in toy making. The toy museum that first inspired me to create Noah’s arks subsequently purchased and displayed one of my arks for many years. This was a special moment. More recently, my inclusion in the Homo Faber exhibition in Venice was another proud moment.

David Plagerson is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1977

Works

©David Plagerson

©Michael Alexander

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©David Plagerson

Where