From chemistry to carpentry
- Frank is a former chemical engineer
- His creations show what he calls “the human touch”
- He likes his items to be both beautiful and functional
Frank Mark has not been a professional woodworker all his life. After receiving a strict technical and science-based education and obtaining a degree in chemical engineering, he spent over 30 years working for a multinational chemical company. Only in his spare time he cultivated carpentry as a hobby, along with gardening, drawing and practicing various sports in the Swiss mountains. Then in 2007 he moved to the high Alps of the canton of Grisons, where he renovated by himself a 400-year-old house built from local materials. Experimenting with different woods and exploring their properties fueled his passion and improved his skills. His growing desire to create new, unique objects that combined fine taste and functionality has resulted in a collection of wooden objects for the home.
Interview
- Why did you choose wood?
- I love its infinite variety. There are so many kinds of woods, with such a wide range of colours and mechanical properties. Its appearance changes so much, both through natural weathering and human treatments, that it definitely allows for limitless creativity.
- What’s the main characteristic of your wooden objects?
- My motto is: love of imperfection. My works show the human touch, from hand carving to manual grinding and polishing. You look at them and you know at once that they are made by hand and couldn’t be made differently.
- Do you master any particular technique?
- I like to experiment with many, from simple to more complex ones. For example, I learned the Japanese art of Yakisugi, which consists of burning the surface of wood to make it more resistant. In general, I look back to ancient artists and societies, be they the pagans or almost-forgotten tribes.
- How long does it take to complete one of your objects?
- It depends on the size, shape and surface type. In general, an item may take several weeks after the first preparatory sketches. I take my time. Only by allowing myself the freedom to read, hike, cook or just enjoy life, I can get new ideas for my woodworking.
Frank E. Mark is a master artisan: he began his career in 2000 and he started teaching in 2010
Where
Frank E. Mark
