Yann Marot

Woodturner

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Pursuing his passion

Yann divides his time between teaching and creating
He finds that teaching helps him deepen his own craft
His creative work is inspired by the curves of the human body

Already as a child, Yann Marot enjoyed the experience and atmosphere of his father’s workshop on the family farm. He was drawn to craftsmanship, but initially studied engineering. Degree in hand, he lasted about two weeks in that profession before setting off on a path towards his true passion: becoming a woodturning artisan. “The profession very nearly disappeared but has been redeveloping since the 1980s and 90s. Now there is a symbiosis between artistic turning and traditional woodturning for furniture,” he says. When asked if it’s necessary to learn both techniques, Yann, who is also a devoted teacher, says, “it’s better to have more than one arrow in your quiver”.

Interview

How did you embark on your woodturning journey?
After leaving my first career, I spent three years training and was helped by numerous artisans. Through the AFTAB (French Woodturning Association) network, I created an improvised and itinerant apprenticeship with many different artisans.
Can you describe one of your first pieces?
While studying, I sculpted a piece of chestnut wood using rudimentary tools into something that resembled a pair of my own tennis shoes. Proud, I showed them to my teacher, but was told it was a “good start” and then given much advice on how to fix them.
What do you love about your craft?
I work a lot with green wood, meaning the wood will deform as it dries. A piece may be round when I take it off the lathe but as it moves to ambient temperature it will transform. I love this second step, I love seeing how the wood will change.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?
I think woodturning is a symbol of this. Starting with a classical, traditional apprenticeship is vital and then once that’s done, there’s a need to go further, go beyond. Like with an instrument, a musician needs to learn his scales first to be able to experiment.

Yann Marot is a master artisan: he began his career in 1999 and he started teaching in 2001