A second life for fallen trees
- Mathieu uses wood from felled trees in the streets of London
- He works with Japanese urushi lacquer with respect for this tradition
- He teaches woodworking to beginners, sharing skills and creative confidence
Mathieu Jones is a Swiss woodworker who left a career in insurance to follow his curiosity for making. Based in London, he uses greenwood felled by local tree surgeons, and through carving and woodturning, creates objects both functional and beautiful. "My work leaves space for the natural movement of greenwood as it dries," explains Mathieu. Having learned his craft through classes at the woodworking cooperative London Greenwood during Covid, Mathieu now also teaches workshops there. As his practice developed, he also taught himself to work with urushi lacquer to create surfaces both beautiful and watertight. His work quietly celebrates the lifecycle of wood and the potential of craft, while inviting a pause in everyday life.
INTERVIEW
I used to sit in front of a computer all day doing insurance data analysis. Around the time of Covid, I realised it was not really for me. I found an outdoor workshop called London Greenwood, attended a course, enrolled on a few more, and took it from there.
My ethos is to only use freshly felled trees, branches that once provided shade, foliage, habitat and beauty in London. As greenwood is full of moisture, carving it is a lot easier, but the wood moves as it dries, changing shape slightly. With this deliberate choice, the end result is out of my hands – nature is doing its thing again.
I wanted to make cups that could hold liquid safely. I learned Japanese urushi lacquer techniques by reading textbooks, watching videos, and contacting master lacquerers. For me, my craft is not about reinventing the wheel, but rather about respecting the deep cultural significance and tradition in Japan to create durable and beautiful pieces.
Before I started my practice, I felt quite divorced from being able to make anything. The closest most of us come to making something is making dinner! Teaching lets me share the joy and I hope to give students the confidence to craft with their hands, for themselves, to create useful objects that will brighten their daily life.
