Lionel Fernandes

Woodcarver

Creating, repairing and conserving

Lionel is a multitalented craftsman
His work ranges from restoration to creation
He mixes cabinetmaking and ornamental sculpture

When asked about the first object he ever made, Lionel Fernandes remembers a slingshot and wooden bow made to play with his brother when he was no more than eight years old. Cabinetmaking and sculpting runs in the family, and it is no surprise that Lionel inherited his love of crafting, creating and imagining from his father and the ones before him. In every project, he makes the customer a central element of his creation or restoration project, he is a true collaborator and feeds off their vision. Ideas are brought to the table from both sides, decisions are made, and then the work can be executed with his masterful hand. He believes in the power of transmitting his knowledge as well as making himself an essential part of keeping his craft alive.

Interview

What is your educational background?: I started at a very young age in my father's workshop, I am the sixth generation of cabinetmaker and second generation of sculptor. I studied carpentry and cabinetmaking, followed by a training certificate in restoration, and finally a diploma in ornamental sculpture.
Are you more of an artist or a craftsman?: I consider myself a craftsman before an artist, my knowledge of the field is used to express the art. The artistic side comes largely from my customers and patrons, I bring knowledge and thoughts, which you could argue make me an artist. But mostly I am technical, which I think makes me a craftsman.
Which technique do you prefer?: Ornamental sculpture is one of my most cherished techniques, and I think I have a talent for coaching and teaching. But I am aware that when I present this side of my profession, people see the artist and not the technician.
What do you like best about your job?: Customer relations. The client comes in with a dream, an idea, and the deal is to make this idea concrete and tangible. When the customer sees the object they have designed, conceived or imagined for the first time in real life, I can see the stars in their eyes.

Lionel Fernandes is a master artisan: he began his career in 2006 and he started teaching in 2015