Jörg Pietschmann
Jörg Pietschmann is a German sculptor and designer whose work explores the expressive potential of wood through sculpture, furniture, and functional objects. Based near Hamburg, he works primarily with salvaged and naturally fallen timber, transforming oak, lime, beech, olive, maple, and driftwood into singular forms that balance organic character with refined craftsmanship. Through a deeply material-driven practice, Pietschmann reveals the inherent beauty of each piece of wood, allowing its history, grain, and natural imperfections to guide the creative process.
Working at the intersection of art and design, Pietschmann creates hand-carved objects that range from sculptural vessels and furniture to large-scale wooden sculptures. His works are characterized by their simplicity, timelessness, and strong connection to nature, preserving the raw vitality of the material while transforming it into contemporary forms. Through this dialogue between craftsmanship and organic growth, Pietschmann creates pieces that are both atmospheric and enduring, inhabiting the space between functional object and sculpture.
Interview
In the East German countryside, Altvorpommern, near the Polish border, close to the sea.
The artful abundance of remains in abandoned manor houses.
which I discovered as a young boy.
You can say yes, but I might not have been aware of it in the beginning.
I draw my inspiration from sincerity and the urge to manifest, to express what seems really important to me.
In myself, there is an energy trying to reveal something.
When I write in my work, it helps me to recognize the world.
My day starts with green tea and exercise; this is my contemplation time to become aware and attentive. When I drive to my studio, my mind goes blank, and I focus on my work. There, I look at the tree trunks and try to feel whether they allow me to connect with my ideas. Or otherwise, if the time is right, I will complete a sculpture.
As a small boy, my pocket knife was always with me to carve everything possible. That was the time when I started looking at the natural material wood.
Preserving the natural grain of the wood and gnarly shapes, follow in the design entirely to the personal character of the materials, respect and escort their curves, their momentum, and their own movements.
My sculptures are solely oiled. All connections are wood-to-wood. No lacquer, resin, and metall is used.
No advice can be given; every artistic path has its own impetus.
I don’t see any movement where I could belong.
I am impressed by the simple, direct, and aesthetic design language of ancient cultures, like ancient Egypt or the 7000-year-old Vinca culture in Southeast Europe, the Mesopotamian culture, or that of the Mayas and Aztecs. I find inspiration in the craftsmanship of ancient Japan, and in the works of the masters Alexander Noll, Wharton Esherick, Sam Maloof, and George Nakashima.
The magical paintings of my friend Arne Pjestedt Solomonsen, which he made on his journeys through India. He has the gift of recognizing the deep and essential.
The wonderfull mystical watercolor paintings and storys by the French comic author, adventurer and musician Hugo Pratt.
Creations of curiosity and transformed energy.
Creativity is intelligence having fun.
“Preserving the natural grain of the wood and gnarly shapes, I follow entirely the personal character of the materials, respecting their curves, their momentum, and their own movements.”
The Questions
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)
Lots of reason to laugh and a multi-faceted but simple life.
There is no fear when I´m in the middle of my self.
To be above it all.
Lack of awareness.
My wife.
The Dionysian part in me.
Awareness and curiosity.
Obedience.
That you can turn your back on him.
Their self-esteem and confidence make it possible to recognize the inner qualities of a man.
–
All talents that make life a joy and expand the living space.
To love life even more.
To love life.
What my karma intended as reincarnation.
Where life blows me.
The ability to live a full life.
Not to strive for the higher self in life.
To master life.
I like to keep my promises.
Their inner and outer beauty.
At the moment: Amitav Ghosh, William Blake, Klaus Schubring.
Maybe Corto Maltese by Hugo Pratt.
I can’t think of any.
For me, heroes are those who fight with word and sword, led by heart and intelligence, like Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd.
Today a favorite, tomorrow already replaced.
Cheekiness without humor.
I have nothing to regret.
In peace.
Find out what you like and see if it contains the necessary aspects that make life beautiful.
“In myself, there is an energy trying to reveal something. When I write in my work, it helps me to recognize the world.”
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