Essence of the rainforest
- José Felix carves the local wood of his region, a hardwood known as choibá
- He preserves a craft handed down to him through generations
- The institution Artesanías de Colombia has supported him to evolve his practices
“Gathering wood along the Atrato River and its tributaries can be quite an adventure,” José Felix Murillo says, recalling the day he and his wife, Luz Mila, encountered a tiger in the midst of Colombia’s dense Chocó jungle. Wood has always played a significant role in the tangible material heritage of the communities predominant in this territory, shaped by a deep bond with the rivers. To this day it remains an important means of sustenance. José Felix's experience is woodwork spans the making of home-building and riverbed gold-mining tools, as well as cooking implements and other household necessities. "Wood, and specifically tropical almond wood, has always served a utilitarian purpose for me and my community," he explains. Far from the context of Chocó and its people, the objects he makes become warm decorative pieces, valued for their long-lasting and natural appeal.
Interview
- What does your design process look like?
- There are times I pray before bedtime, asking God to show me a new design and product. In the morning, I go to my workshop as soon as I wake up, and I write down my dreams. The curved spoons, the whisk and the two-hearted trays are the result of these 'enlightened' visions in my dreams.
- Are any of your works more popular than others?
- Many of those who buy these pieces are looking for the traditional cooking tools they grew up with or remember their grandmothers using. I help them reconnect with their territory and home traditions. In Quibdó, the kitchen utensils are most sought after. In other places far from Chocó, the wooden trays, known as bateas, and bowls are the more popular products.
- Which pieces are the most challenging to work on?
- The mortar and canoe demand a lot work since the hard wood must be hollowed. I recently bought a wood carving disc for the workshop, which has greatly helped in saving time. Before this, it was a long process of removing big chunks with a chain saw, then carving out with chisels and gouges.
- How has your work benefitted from institutional support?
- Artesanías de Colombia helped me improve the quality of my work, and continues to offer opportunities to showcase at their annual craft fairs in Bogotá and Medellín. I started using new tools to improve finishes, and they taught us how to varnish more efficiently with natural beeswax.
José Felix Murillo is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2000
Where
José Felix Murillo
