In the language of wood
- A tree, to Felix, is a silent witness to the world around it
- His works are delicate and lightweight despite their size
- His favourite wood to work with is old oak
Felix Votteler is regularly invited to exhibit his sophisticated turned works in museums. "Finding one's own formal language in woodturning takes time and experience, so I am looking forward to where this journey will take me in the years ahead," says Felix. As a result of growing up with his father's carpentry business, he can already draw on decades of experience with his material. Felix is an expert at turning large and delicate pieces. With each piece of wood he works on, he finds the final form very intuitively. Over the past few years, he has grown increasingly interested in the history of the tree he handles, and the place in which it grew. Felix believes that through woodturning older wood, he preserves the stories of what the tree has witnessed, for future generations.
Interview
- What is the source of your trees?
- A majority of the trees that come to me are either dead or diseased trees or trees that have been damaged by storms or other similar events. There is always something new to be found on my lawn thanks to an arborist friend of mine. Usually they are hardwoods such as ash, maple or beech. Oak is my favourite. The idea that a part of the tree lives on as an object appeals to me greatly.
- What messages can be found in the trees?
- Often, the logs that I receive are very old and tell a story. In my opinion, they act as silent witnesses to the environment in which they lived. From annual rings, injuries to the trunk, or overgrowth, I can draw many conclusions. The work I created in conjunction with Grafeneck Castle's memorial, Wooden Archives, was particularly impressive for me in this regard.
- Could you describe this work a little further?
- I created three objects from a diseased ash tree on the grounds of Grafeneck Castle. In the year of 1940, 10,654 disabled people were killed and burned there. Ash from the victims was spread all around the castle. It is interesting to note that the forest around the castle was declared a natural monument in the same year. The history of the log I used served as a powerful reminder to me of death and transition as I worked with it.
- What do people often not know about your work?
- Since my pieces are often large and made of wood, many people assume they must be heavy and solid. However, I work very delicately and make thin walls for my objects. Many people are amazed at how light they are when they pick them up. For example, I just finished a vase that is 70 cm tall and weighs 1.8 kg.
Felix Votteler is a rising star: he began his career in 2021
Where
Felix Votteler
