Paco Luis Martos Sánchez

Carpenter

©Paco Rocha

Moorish castles to modern halls

Paco Luis specialises in Mudejar coffered ceilings
He restores monuments of cultural heritage
His work is deeply rooted in his region’s tradition

Paco Luis Martos Sánchez specialises in the creation of Mudejar coffered ceilings, a historical form of carpentry which consists of creating wooden roofs with intricate ornaments. The craftsman creates exclusive pieces and seeks to preserve this noble ancient art, in Spain and beyond its borders. His activity has a great influence on the conservation of local cultural heritage, due to his restoration, research, and conservation work of different monuments. He is also very involved in the transmission of the craft. In the many aspects of his work, from recovery and maintenance to artisanal skills, Paco Luis works with the same know-how used more than a thousand years ago when the first wooden roofs appeared on the Iberian Peninsula.

Interview

©Paco Rocha

©Paco Rocha

How is your craft linked to your region?: Mudejar coffered ceilings originate from the Roman and European carpentry tradition, as well as the geometric art of the Arabs. The peninsula, especially the Spanish one, is filled with this type of interior architecture which isn’t found in other countries and cultures.
Do you train apprentices?: Yes, reasearch is fundamental since there is hardly any material that delves into this matter in depth, so the didactic work is very important. We train intern apprentices, and we are dedicated to research.
Is your craft well recognised?: My work itself is unknown because it is a forgotten craft. But now faculties and historians are taking more interest in it and the appearance is garnering a bigger following.
What is a memorable moment in your career?: Receiving the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust Award for the Arts of Construction - an award given to the most outstanding masters of traditional Spanish construction by a North American philanthropic entity.

Paco Luis Martos Sánchez is a master artisan: he began his career in 1995 and he started teaching in 1998