The inventive woodworker
- Tibor creates his signature woodwork using milling
- He has received multiple awards for his design of wooden children's toys
- He is a self-taught woodmaker who uses machines designed by himself
Tibor Uhrín admired the precise woodwork of craftsmen in his neighborhood since childhood. He owned a small workshop with his brother, where they enjoyed creating various objects out of wood by hand. They usually obtained wood and wooden material from forests and a factory producing window frames near to their home. Many years later Tibor decided to begin his studies at university focusing on design. Shortly after graduation, he started his own workshop, mainly designing wooden toys. He learned his craft from various masters and colleagues at the School of Applied Arts in Kremnica, Slovakia, focusing on various traditional techniques. The main inspiration for his artistic work came from his residency in Dalarna, Sweden. Tibor was also influenced by his residency in Bogota, Colombia, where he led several design courses focusing on wooden toys. Now, Tibor works mainly with techniques and mechanisms of his own construction often using milling or turning to create his signature wooden structures.
Interview
- What inspired you to work mainly with wood?
- It was natural for me since I grew up in connection with nature. I learned to use a knife and make whistles and willow boats by myself quite early. Later, we established a small workshop with my brother using wooden leftovers from a a nearby woodworking plant for our designs.
- Where did you gain your experience with wood?
- I started to work with wood more seriously during my design studies at university and art school later, where I worked as a teacher at the Toy Production Department. I have always gained experience and new knowledge directly from various craftspeople, artists and designers, as well as from schools where I worked.
- What techniques do you use to create your signature wooden structures?
- I always use my own milling equipment, jigs and mechanisms to mill negative structures into the wood. Turning is another technology that I have been developing and adapting for my objects over the time.
- Who are your clients?
- My products are most often sought after by lovers of design, wood and craft. In my work I prefer to create products of a smaller size or made-to-order according to the client's idea. These are mostly furniture pieces or furniture sets.
Tibor Uhrín is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1988
Where
Tibor Uhrín
