Olly Fathers

Wood marquetry maker

©Justyna Kulam

©Olly Fathers

©Justyna Kulam

©Olly Fathers

The fireworks of composition

Olly became a marquetry artist after discovering the potential of veneer in 2018
He creates using both traditional and self-taught techniques
His artworks explore the relationship between materials, shapes and colour

Olly Fathers has been making artwork across a variety of mediums including paper art and painting since the early 2000s. Wood veneers he only discovered around 2018 and immediately fell in love with the material. A graduate of Wimbledon College of Art with a BA in fine art painting, Olly found himself immersed in marquetry in 2018. “Being an artist is something I have always wanted to do and working with wood veneers is the best way to get my vision and ideas across,” he says about his craft. His works aim to push the boundaries of what is traditionally produced with wood veneers and marquetry. Every object Olly creates is cut by hand with homemade jigs and tools. He has found his voice in an aesthetic that plays with geometrical shapes, colour and composition. Olly applies self-taught marquetry know-how alongside long-established techniques he has researched.

Interview

©Justyna Kulam

©Olly Fathers

What are your sources of inspiration?: Minimal artists such as Ellsworth Kelly and Frank Stella. Bauhaus, brutalist and mid-century architecture and Memphis design movement also inspire me. The material, wood veneer, and the making process itself have led to bodies of work being developed as well.
What do you love most about wood marquetry?: Being excited to go to 'work' every day. Being able to make artworks using wood veneers and sitting back after I have finished a piece that I am really pleased with. Seeing a piece come to life is a wonderful feeling.
Has there been a memorable moment in your professional life?: In 2024 I made my largest artwork to date, which was a big moment. The piece was 2 m x 5 m and took a lot of planning and testing to ensure it would all come together, so seeing that work up and installed was a very satisfying achievement.
What do you suggest to those who want to get into the same craft?: Just experiment and have fun. Try not to worry about making mistakes and try not to do too much too soon. Get good by working on a smaller scale and focus on reaching a good understanding of the feel and reactions of different species of wood veneers.

Olly Fathers is a rising star he began his career in 2018