Andreas Gerig

DrechselWerk

Woodturner

©Paula.ch

©DrechselWerk.ch

©Paula.ch

Environmental responsibility for high-end design

Andreas started woodworking as a hobby
He mixes craft with a passion for design
Ecologically conscientious practices are vital to his work

Andreas had a passion for woodwork for many decades and pursued it as a hobby at first while being a teacher. It was in 2010 that he started a woodworking apprenticeship before becoming a professional woodturner in 2015. Today, in his workshop DrechselWerk, he is joined by his wife Sandra who runs their shop in the old town of Zurich. Andreas’ work mixes traditional craftsmanship with innovative design. He enjoys finding new ways of creating everyday objects, with one aspect always in mind: being environmentally conscious and respectful of the material. Using local wood, wood leftovers and his electrical appliances to the minimum are examples of ways to respect the environment, while always maintaining high quality standards.

Interview

©Paula.ch

©Paula.ch

What drew you to woodwork?: From the beginning, I was fascinated by the material and design possibilities, to use it in all its depth and to combine traditional craft with modern design. The desire awoke more and more to learn the craft 'properly' and to make a profession out of my hobby.
How does the material impact your work?: Careful treatment of nature is a priority: using local wood, air-dried when possible, recycling leftovers – the shavings serve as filling material for packaging, or as heating material for wood firing. I also encourage repairing instead of producing new.
Do you use any special techniques?: I work with the usual long and cross wood turning techniques with their specificities, such as overhead turning, heel turning or off-centre turning. I can also work with wet and dry wood, and master the technique of leaf gilding which I integrate into my creations.
Could your craft be considered in danger?: Handmade craftsmanship is increasingly being replaced by digitalised, optimised production methods. Large quantities are produced by machines, the individual creator is thus lost. Today, the commercial woodturner is understood as being a product manufacturer. Unfortunately creative resources are often not sufficiently recognised and used.

Andreas Gerig is a master artisan: he began his career in 2004 and he started teaching in 2015