Nicolene Van der Walt’s Wooden Objects Combine Artistic Freedom With Craftsmanship

While the functionality of the objects lies at the core of her practice, Van der Walt’s diverse experiences and influences enrich her creations. After studying fine arts with a focus on sculpture, she embarked on a journey of artistic exploration, trying her hand at various mediums before discovering her passion for woodworking. “Following my studies, I tried many different things like writing, printmaking, bronze sculpting, and ceramics. But it was only during my carpentry internship that I felt like I had truly found my place,” she tells us. Following that experience, she decided to start a traditional apprenticeship in woodworking in Berlin and eventually established her own practice. “The thing I love about having my own studio and working for myself is that I don’t have to decide who or what I want to be. My practice allows me to combine the freedom of being an artist and experimenting in the studio with being a woodworker,” she says.

To find new forms and ideas, Van der Walt experiments with models made of cardboard before starting to work with wood. “I always start with these models, as wood is such a precious material and I don’t want to waste it.” While her love for simplicity defines her work, she also likes to add an element of surprise. In her series of perfectly round-shaped cutting boards, for example, the addition of an oval handle not only enhances the object’s functionality but also adds a certain playfulness to the piece.