Peter Hromek

Woodturner | Sinntal-Schwarzenfels, Germany

Recommended by

Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks

Turning his hand to wood sculpting

Peter creates unique sculptural wooden objects
His passion is to master and improve turning techniques
He is inspired by natural forms

Peter Hromek moved from former Czechoslovakia to Germany at a young age. He studied mechanical engineering and later, encouraged by a friend, built his first guitar, which led to him devoting ten years to this craft. Peter even wrote and published a book on how to make guitars. But fate led him to woodturning, which became his passion. He now turns hollow sculptural objects using multi-axis turning. His objects are showcased in exhibitions not only in Germany but also in Austria, the USA, and Australia and are praised by collectors. His sleek and slightly erotic objects can be used in interiors, as sculptures and as functional yet intriguing vessels. Peter loves technical challenges and also creates original pepper and spice grinders. In addition to the unique turned shape, he has also developed a highly resistant grinding mechanism for these homeware items, heritage of his former training as a mechanic.

Interview

©Peter Hromek

©Peter Hromek

How did you start woodturning?: I bought an old tabletop lathe. I did not know how to use it, even though I had studied mechanics. Nobody showed me how to turn wood. It took lot of time to master some techniques.
How long did it take you to get the result you wanted?: It is hard to answer this question because you always develop your work. After about six years of turning alone I met a professional woodturner in the UK. I started to practise the techniques for internal turning through narrow openings. This took me some months. After this I developed multi-axial turning of vessels.
Can you tell us more about your specific technique?: My work is recognisable for its distinctive shapes. When I work, I imagine what it is I want to achieve and plan it precisely. I make a technical drawing before I start to turn. In my works you can often see shapes which fit with each other.
What inspires you to create?: Natural forms, of course. Fruits, flowers, leaves. I think my vessels are somehow erotic. Some people are even shy to talk about them, but the human body is also part of nature.

Peter Hromek is a master artisan: he began his career in 1986 and he started teaching in 2013