The beauty of cracked wood
- Natacha works with the atypical Swiss pine wood
- She developed her own technique called cRAKŬ
- Her workshop has been awarded for its commitment to nature
Natacha Heitz explores the art of woodturning through her sculptures. She works with the contrasting nature of Swiss pine wood, which she feels embodies the harmony of opposites. "As a lover of nature and wolves, it was natural for me to choose to work with wood," Natacha says. She trained in woodturning and sculpture under several masters before opening her own workshop. Since 2014, Natacha's work has centred around 'cRAKŬ', a technique she developed herself. "When Swiss pine is exposed to flames, it develops a cracked texture. I love to experiment with this unique textural feature, and I seek to enhance the wood by painting it, varnishing it, sculpting it, turning it and dyeing it," she explains.
INTERVIEW
I was initially working in nature conservation, education and environmental mediation, specialising in the wolf-pastoralism issue. Then, seeking to get closer to the nature I preached about all day, with a desire for a more introspective activity, I turned to working with wood.
From the very beginning, I was committed to using local wood and sourcing only from companies that harvest sustainably. My work is grounded in eco-responsibility. Everything is reused, even the shavings produced during turning or carving. The finishing products I use are chosen for their low environmental impact.
I had been searching for a way to work with the local and atypical Swiss pinewood. It is a very soft wood, traditionally used for knife carving, which felt far from my own approach. One day, I passed it through fire, and it cracked in a completely unique, beautiful way. I remember thinking, 'There is something here!'
My partnership with the material. Because I work repeatedly with the same type of wood, I end up knowing it intimately. I do not have the same connection or approach at all when I work with another type of wood.
