Agnès Klefstad

Woodcarver

©Agnes K

Sculptures of wooden lace

Agnès works on the transparency of wood
She applies the experience of her versatile past to her technique today
Her aim is to allow every piece of wood to shine in its own right

“Wood is the only material that appeals to all the senses: sight, smell, touch, ...,” shares Agnès Klefstad. Her sculptures aim to bring this material to light and reveal the beauty of its contrasts. Agnès experiments with the finesse of wood and the transparency it can reveal. In her wooden lace pieces, the material is finely carved to a thickness of 2-3mm, thus allowing for a delicate play of light. Agnès relies on her early experiences as an architect and framer to evolve as a sculptor. Her vision of wood has been honed by the diverse skills and knowledge she has acquired over the years. She considers each piece of wood as having its own character, just like a person. It is this individuality that she seeks to highlight through her work.

Interview

©Agnes K

©Agnes K

Do your previous experiences influence your approach to woodcarving?: Absolutely. Framing is a very vast practice, which has trained me in many different skills and materials. Architecture is something I use every day. Proportions, matter and void, the light – these are all concepts that I have learnt and that I transpose into my work today.
How has your relationship with wood evolved?: At first, I simply approached it as a material to be used. But the more I experiment, the more I look for wood that has a story to tell. I now see it as part of something that has lived. My work consists in expressing the material, its nature, supporting it and celebrating it.
What inspires you to create wall panels as much as sculptures?: My wall panels are the result of an instinctive process. Like an artist painter who paints with colours, I paint with wood, so to speak. Sculpting, especially the wood lace I create, is a more thoughtful process that requires a different kind of concentration. They are very different types of creation, and I truly enjoy juggling both.
What meaning do tradition and innovation have in your work?: For me, tradition is expressed in know-how, the ability to handle traditional tools. It also means having a culture, a knowledge of the different historical movements and what was done in the past. Modernity is reflected in my wood lace, the techniques made possible by new, contemporary tools, and in my designs.

Agnès Klefstad is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2015 and she started teaching in 2020