Sara Martinsen

Woodworker

©Sara Martinsen

©Kristian Holm

A natural conversation

Sara is captivated by the work of Capellini and Jasper Morrison
She works with untreated wood and plant fibres
She is inspired by the relationship between humans and nature

Sara Martinsen is a Danish furniture designer by education and an artist by heart who works in product design and material art. "I started design school thinking I would be an interior designer and in the second year I managed to get an internship at the Danish brand Gubi, a furniture brand and a retail shop selling other labels like Cappellini and Arper. The world of Cappellini, the design from the upcoming Bouroullec Brothers and the elegance of Jasper Morrison blew my mind". After nine years of being in charge of the creative process and managing the team at two design studios, in 2016 she opened her own studio, where she explores different techniques and honours natural materials.

Interview

©Christian Bang

©Kristian Holm

When did you realise you wanted to work with wood?: I was fascinated by wood and natural materials very early on. When I was about 10 years old, I visited the Kontiki Museum in Norway and from the museum shop I acquired a piece of balsa wood. At high school, if I had an idea about a new piece, I would persuade my father to help me out.
Why is wood so captivating?: Working with wood is fantastic. Wood has an energy and a velocity you need to follow. Wood takes time to grow and if you stress it, the quality deteriorates, and has a fabulous smell. The smell of fresh wood in the workshop, beats everything.
Does the landscape influence your craft?: Growing up in Scandinavia, I have always been surrounded by natural materials. In my home, wood was everywhere: furniture, flooring and even the ceiling. Twice a year we would wash the pine floor with fat soap and I still remember the amazing smell of soap and moist wood.
What is your aim?: To make people fall in love with common materials like natural wood or plant fibres by arranging them in a way that make them become attractive and inspiring. In my opinion this is the strongest way to communicate their beauty.

Sara Martinsen is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2007 and she started teaching in 2019