Artan Basha

Furniture maker

©KLEJDI KALAJA

The sleek edges of destiny

Artan began his creative path as a painter
He taught himself the craft of woodworking and furniture making
The natural contours of wooden furniture fascinate him

Artan Basha has been passionate about art since he was a child. He attended the Artistic Lyceum of Painting, and later took up Finance and Food Technology. "Destiny put me back on the right path, that of a creative woodworker," he states. His first steps towards this new professional avenue included experimenting with wood and learning by watching YouTube videos. Today, Artan owns a very well known workshop in the city of Tirana and his works are highly sought after by architects and interior designers. Artan values the beauty and simplicity of bringing nature into people’s homes. "The rich contours of wooden edges give tables, benches, shelves, and other room accents a sculptured quality. Since nowadays we spend most of our time inside, we should strive towards a nature-friendly home or space", he explains.

Interview

©KLEJDI KALAJA

©KLEJDI KALAJA

What was the first object you made?: I had an olive tree in the yard of my house. When I pruned it, its large branches seemed ideal for woodturning. I made my first work which is an oval plate, which my wife still keeps in memory of my craftsmanship.
How does nature inspire your creativity?: The visuals of nature inspire me. The patterns in nature are so striking and amazing. The trees have their own unique design and no branch is identical to another. I like that natural variety in patterns creates pure uniformity.
What is your favourite woodworking process?: The final step of the process, which is wood finishing. This is when I can finally see the character of the wood. I only use organic wood oil. It penetrates into the surface of the wood, nourishing it and enhancing its natural beauty.
Can you tell us a memorable moment in your professional life?: As a young woodworker, I once displayed in my showroom some items that I had made, that had a strong emotional meaning to me, that were not for sale. Someone came in and wanted to buy exactly those objects. It was such a difficult moment for me. I was so attached to those creations, and felt as though I was being ripped away from something very precious to me.

Artan Basha is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2013 and he started teaching in 2019