Mamen Diego

Objet Particulier

Straw marquetry maker

©mercedesblanco

©Objet Particulier

Upcycled elegance

Mamen makes marquetry and woven creations with straw, galuchat and parchment
She brings innovation into her field by using lighter supporting materials
Her first works were exhibited at Dubai Design Week

The versatility and refinement in Mamen Diego’s marquetry creations are the result of technical research, rigour, and a passion for fine materials. She worked as an interior designer and established her own firm in 2015. Shortly thereafter she opened her atelier, Objet Particulier, dedicated to crafting bespoke furniture, panelling and decorative objects with marquetry techniques including galuchat, parchment and straw. The luminous effect of Mamen’s colourful marquetry offers a touch of sophisticated elegance to residential, retail, hospitality and yachting interiors. Her dedicated and perfected production protocol includes lighter innovative materials which confer additional architectural functionality to her designs and finishes. Mamen combines ancient artisanal production techniques with technological innovation by using HPL, Duropolymer® and Solid Surface materials in addition to the more conventional wood or MDF. Her marquetry creations can therefore be applied in bigger formats and across varied environments.

Interview

©mercedesblanco

©mercedesblanco

How did you transition from interior design to marquetry?: I did previous restoration works such as gilding altarpieces, lining boxes with fabric and as a self-taught upholsterer. I specialised in materials and applications for interior design work and found that there were very ancient techniques without innovation. The first object I improved was a case in galuchat, which is the skin of an edible and unprotected ray fish species from the Southern Seas.
What lies behind the act of “dressing” objects?: It is a way of beautifying things or enhancing spaces. I like to upgrade and give objects an exquisite value. As a youngster I loved to cover my notebooks. I remember looking under the furniture at home, wondering what its 'guts' were made of. I was already curious about the structure of things as early as childhood and have always had a special interest for crafting tools.
How do you differentiate from French traditional marquetry?: Object Particulier’s differential lies in the hybridisation of materials which is totally contemporary. Artistically I am inspired by Mozarabic and Nasrid geometries present in Spanish art and architecture. I have also innovated with panelling, embedding the fabric and fibres in metal, Solid Surface and MDF. All my works have a natural finish which permit the silicon in straw fibre to give its special shine.
How are technology and ecological concerns present in your work?: All the materials I work with are residual from agricultural and food industries. The use of graphic design software to create patterns and laser cutting technology has minimised waste, permitting the optimisation of materials and form. I also employ tools from other trades, like dental burs to work on ivory galuchat pearls.

Mamen Diego is a master artisan: he began his career in 2014 and he started teaching in 2017