Álvaro Aramburu

Studio Växt

Woodcarver

Extravagant sculptures from Sweden

Álvaro was born and studied in Madrid
He learns and perfects his craft by adapting to the Swedish mindset
The rural area where he lives provides him with raw materials

Álvaro Aramburu's work places equal importance on industrial design and contemporary craftsmanship, resulting in thoughtful objects ranging from conceptual pieces to functional furniture. "My interest in furniture and woodworking stems from my background in industrial design. During my university studies, I struggled to engage with overly theoretical and purely engineering-focused subjects that were disconnected from the qualities that define a product," he explains. Subsequently, Álvaro specialised in wooden furniture design at a university in Sweden, where the design approach was different. "Starting from the material and exploring concepts as I interacted with the wood," he explains. Some of these products are developed digitally, while others are crafted by hand. "I predominantly work with wood, finding that this material suits my attention to detail and my interest in empirical learning," says Álvaro.

Interview

How would you describe your relationship with wood?: I like to communicate through the language of design, the properties of a material, colour, and light. Wood, perhaps the 'teacher' in my specific case, grants me the freedom to explore my surroundings and learn from the ecosystem I inhabit. It allows me to imagine while keeping my feet on the ground.
When did you realise you wanted to pursue this craft?: It was during my final university project, although perhaps back then I had a very different mindset about furniture and materials. I was attempting to design an industrial production chair. Despite the process being filled with stages I disliked, it fuelled my desire to create objects from scratch.
How does being a Spanish craftsman working and living in Sweden affect you?: The material I work with is the livelihood of many in Sweden, from those involved in planting and logging forests to workers in the paper industry. Practically speaking, living surrounded by forests grants me access to abundant raw materials.
Do you have a preference for different types of wood?: I mainly work with pine and birch, species that hold great significance for those raised in this region. Birch provides warmth in winter, while pine is used for beams and walls of houses. From an artistic perspective, it is enriching to explore these materials from a different viewpoint and use their qualities as a language.

Álvaro Aramburu is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2015