About Conscious Wood
My name is Wessel Gresse, and I am the creator behind Conscious Wood. I am a Namibian-born photographer and woodworker who specialises in solid wood joinery.
Conscious Wood originated from my conviction to create high quality furniture through ethically sourced wood, by means of foraging through nature’s discarded piles or using repurposed timber. Fuelled by my need for authentic artistic expression, I aim to create exclusive pieces of functional art by blending the various influences that have shaped me within my work.
Influence
My love for woodwork started in early adolescence when I was introduced to the subject in school. Over the years, I have been privileged to explore woodwork in a variety of forms – from shop-fitting to construction – but my one true love has always been creating one-of-a-kind artisan furniture.
Growing up so close to nature in the Okavango in Northern Namibia, I found an ever-expanding understanding and love for Mother Nature at a very young age. It is this love that has been my greatest influence in how I approach woodwork. Throughout my 22 years in the trade, I have witnessed how the unethical use of wood can destroy the beauty of nature.
Conscious Wood originated from my conviction to create high quality furniture through ethically sourced wood, by means of foraging through nature’s discarded piles or using repurposed timber. Fuelled by my need for authentic artistic expression, I aim to create exclusive pieces of functional art by blending the various influences that have shaped me within my work.
Inspiration
During my youth I was mesmerized by the art I observed from the local Namibian tribes. For the duration of my schooling at Hermanus High, it was my woodwork teacher, Mr. Palmer, who played a monumental role in mentoring me and fueling my interest in woodwork. Upon finishing my schooling, I left for England, where I was exposed to an abundance of different art modalities. During my time abroad, I was drawn to the works of UK-based fine-furniture maker David Savage. The ancient art of Stereotomy is another big influence for me. Stereotomy is the art of cutting three-dimensional solids into geometrically precise shapes. This is commonly applied within the context of stone cutting and construction, where precise techniques are utilized to shape stones so that they fit together perfectly in architectural structures. Since stepping into adulthood, I have been captivated by the ancient art of Kumiko, endeavoring to teach myself the intricacies of this traditional Japanese woodworking technique. Kumiko is a form of Japanese carpentry that involves the arranging of small wooden pieces within a triangular or square lattice to produce intricate patterns. With the use of meticulous calculating, cutting and arranging, the wooden pieces slot together and remain in place through pressure alone. Kumiko also initiated my fascination with Sacred Geometry, which I have endeavoured to weave into my art and custom commissions ever since.
Vision
For me, cutting open a piece of timber is like unravelling the history books of life – each layer telling a different story. Using innovative styles in combination with traditional basics I aim to enhance the natural beauty and unique characteristics of each piece of timber.