Jacky Cavallari

Wood marquetry maker

©Anne Hascoet Ailleurs

Spontaneous simplicity and decorative details

Jacky trained in marquetry at École Boulle and the Sorbonne
He combines 18th and 19th century ornamentation with Art Deco balance
The fauna and flora of Portugal and Brazil are central motifs in his work

Jacky Cavallari’s journey spans continents, shaping his approach to marquetry. A French craftsman trained at École Boulle and the Sorbonne, he has lived in Brazil and Portugal, absorbing the cultural influences of each place. In Brazil, his French aesthetic sensibilities evolved to become more attuned to nature. When he arrived in Portugal, he quickly adapted his work to the local cultural setting, drawing from his experiences abroad. Jacky’s creative process is instinctive. “It is not planned, not goal-oriented, and not entirely conscious. Some of the pieces I value most are those that emerged spontaneously,” he says. His style blends Bauhaus simplicity with the curved lines of Louis XV ornamentation and Art Deco’s balance. Yet, in his practice since the late 1990s, nature has become his defining theme. “The focus of my craft is refining, distilling and simplifying the essence of nature,” he says.

Interview

©Anne Hascoet Ailleurs

©Anne Hascoet Ailleurs

How did École Boulle and the Sorbonne shape your craft?: My studies at École Boulle, guided by the rigour and passion of the masters, and at the Sorbonne, enriched by the knowledge and dedication of the professors, deeply influenced my work and life. I would not be the same marquetry maker and woodworker without this journey.
How do innovation and tradition coexist in your work?: The technique and gestures I use are essentially the same as in the late 18th and 19th centuries. What has changed is that the cutting machine runs on electricity, adhesive materials have evolved, and tools have become more efficient. Innovation happens in the design.
How has living in Portugal shaped your artistic themes?: Living in Portugal since 2017 has profoundly shaped my work, inspiring me to include themes like local flora and fauna in my designs. For instance, the carnation, featured in my set of memory boxes, is a symbol of the 1974 Revolution.
What advice would you give to aspiring artisans?: Practise, practise, practise. Mastery frees you from the constraints of technique and material. Once you know them well, they become sources of inspiration. That is when your manual craft becomes art.

Jacky Cavallari is an expert artisan he began his career in 1997