Portrait of Clara Clamens - the talented Marseille-based artisan crafting beauty in Wood
Talking all things wood: An inspiring dialogue with the talented woodworker, Clara Clamens.
Today we discover the fascinating journey of Clara, a Parisian-turned-Marseillaise artisan who has embarked on a remarkable career shift from the digital realm to the intricate world of woodworking and ébénisterie. In this conversation, Clara unveils the driving forces behind her creative endeavors, the inspirations that fuel her imagination, and the unique approach she brings to each project.
Clara at work - Photo courtesy of Caroline Pelletti Victor
1. Can you introduce yourself?
My I’m Clara Clamens, born in NYC, raised in Paris and living in Marseille for 4 years now.
2. What brought you to this point (your professional background, education, events...)?
I took a big shift in my career in 2020, from digital transformation in a big company to learning all the techniques around wood and ébénisterie during a 1 year training. I am driven by the idea of designing and making any objects, furniture I could imagine. The wood came along very naturally through its beauty, its natural complexity.
3. Do you have a particular approach to your projects and designs?
I really enjoy the first contact with a client : getting to know their needs, discussing the aesthetic parts and informing them on the specificities regarding wood : each type of three has specific features, it can evolve depending on the seasons etc.
My approach always starts with a drawing : a pen and a sheet of paper that usually follow me during the all process.
Sur mesures projects - Photos courtesy of Clara Clamens & Caroline Pelletti Victor
4. Is there a specific type of project you particularly enjoy working on?
What I really like is to answer a very specific and on-demand need and adding a creative touch. For instance, I had clients asking me to decorate the round window they have in their room and I used a bending technique with oak wood. I really enjoy the first contact with a client : getting to know their needs, discussing the aesthetic parts and informing them on the specificities regarding wood : each type of three has specific technical features, wood also evolves depending on its environment, seasons, level of humidity etc. It’s actually quite complex. My approach always starts with a drawing : a pen and a sheet of paper that usually follow me during the all process.
5. What motivates you to create?
There usually is a message, a question, an intention that starts the creating process in each of the creations I’ve been making.
A lot of it has to do with a little observation during my first internship in an office : working on an excel sheet on the computer I started looking around and got aware that everything was as square and efficient as this excel file. The computer, the desk, the door, the space, the window. I started freaking out, having the feeling I was getting trapped. Then fortunately, as a savior, a chubby cloud passed by the window : we human created squares, nature creates curves, movement, waves.
In a way, a lot of my inspiration is linked to this moment : breaking codes of linearity, efficiency to bring something more natural, emotional, sensible.
Sur mesures projects - Photos courtesy of Clara Clamens
6. Where do you find your inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from the curves you can see in nature around: a leaf, a cloud, a seaweed, waves etc. I can also be inspired by the body movements, dances, and facial curves. And of course wood: its veins, its color and natural shape. I sometimes try to understand what happened in the tree’s life: a storm, a heatwave. It is a great source of inspiration. Some wood varieties are amazing with very graphic veins like the plane tree.
7. How would you describe your creative process?
I really enjoy having a first approach with the client where we get a common starting point: like an anchor, an intention on which I can base the creative process.
I usually get my ideas when riding my bike or on the bus. In those in-between moments where I can be more passive can free my mind.
8. What do you think is your best creation/project, and does it have symbolic value for you?
The last object I created was a tribute to my grand-parents from Marseille : a candle holder called Le Gâté. It means hug but it's only said in the South of France and at the time people weren’t using it in Paris. With all the Marseille enthusiasm, this word became almost trendy, and each time I hear it, I feel an emotion, a reminiscence of my childhood surrounded by the love of grand-parents.
Le Gâté, candle holder by Clara Clamens
9. Do you have a mentor whose work you'd like to share?
I was luckily surrounded by great people during the all learning process and I still am actually because I’m still learning. Among them, l’atelier Carlès Demarquet welcomed me for my last internship. I have always loved the poetry around their sculpted pieces : like antique objects found in the deep sea. They work a lot the texture of the wood.
10. What are your favorite places in Lisbon (or any other city where you live)?
I love the Ocean in Portugal which is so different from our Mediterranean sea : all the space, the power of the waves and the tidal. Also in Lisboa, we can feel an antic soul, an authenticity despite all the movements of the city. It gives the feeling the heritage of crafts is protected in a way through buildings rehabilitation for exemple. In Marseille, I love just being by the sea in winter under the sun on a rock with a pizza in Malmousque.
11. Do you have any specific information you'd like to share with us?
Le Bunker des Calanques organizes an event every year to enhance collaboration between artisans from Marseille. It is a great way to step out of our daily routine to work with someone else, confront different techniques. I am participating this year with the amazing artist Zineb Mezzour. We will create a sculpture on the subtil chaos of nature. Stay tuned :)
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