Luigi D'Amato
Woodturner
Bellinzona, Switzerland
Thin walls at play
- Luigi seeks to give new life to wood through his ornate latticed sculptures
- His unique work has been acknowledged with several awards in the USA and Europe
- He is one of the few makers in the world mastering wood piercing on this scale
For Luigi D’Amato, his journey was shaped by walks in the forest, when he would notice the many fallen trees, and think of ways to give all this wood a new life. A passionate self- taught woodturner, Luigi honed his skills through a process of trial-and-error, gradually specialising in wood piercing to make decorative objects. The technique he employs involves reducing wood to a thickness of just a few millimetres and then carving entirely by hand, with the aid of specific tools, similar to those used by dental technicians. "Woodturning allows me to truly express myself," says Luigi. He translates his creative impulse into clean and elegant shapes, brought to life by intricate fretwork. Luigi's works embody the contrast between wood’s texture and the visual delicacy of the finished piece.
INTERVIEW
I focus on visual lightness, extremely detailed openwork and the balance between negative space and material. I also use texturing techniques, fine finishing and processes requiring almost surgical precision, often on very thin sections of wood.
They come mainly from nature and organic textures, architecture, light and geometries found in the natural world. My background in the technology sector has also influenced my approach: precision, structure and attention to detail are part of both worlds.
I am particularly drawn to woods with pronounced grain or distinctive colour patterns. Every piece tells a different story. I also often choose wood based on what it conveys to me whilst carving it, as each type of wood reacts in a unique way to tools and light.
I experience a very special feeling: seeing my works on display signals to me that the object has found a new life beyond me and the workshop. It is emotional to realise that something I made with patience and care can also convey that emotion to someone else.
Luigi D'Amato
Woodturner
Bellinzona, Switzerland
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Bellinzona, Switzerland
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
LANGUAGES
Italian, English
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