Luis Morgado

It is in the heart of the Verdon that Aiguines is located, once famous for the turning of studded petanque balls. We went to visit Luis Morgado last month who precisely turns each of the CLOCHE smokers.

Hello Luis, can you tell us about your journey up to the shooting? 

I have always been passionate about wood. This passion developed when I joined a carpentry association in 1998. I was able to make my own furniture there, which naturally led me to create more and more complex works. In 2017, I was asked to make a turned part, it was a new engine.

What do you like about woodturning?

What I particularly like about turning is the fact of sculpting the wood without mechanical or electrical tools. It is really the hand of man that shapes the wood, which gives rise to the curves.

Working in Aiguines, in a historic village of wood turners, does it have an influence on your work?

I would say that the story of Aiguines is more of an inspiration than an influence for me. As soon as I settled in the village, I first specialized in lampshades. When I had a bit more time, I started experimenting with new projects and techniques; which led me to develop pieces combining wood and metal. I really like this practice, towards which I think I will go more often.

You work with green wood, engrave wood, what role does experimentation play in your work?

Green wood requires very special attention; with my other requests, unfortunately I don't have time to devote much time to it. At the moment I am concentrating more on woodcuts, and more particularly the figures of Lichtenberg. This technique makes it possible to obtain random shapes on the wood, produced by an electrostatic discharge current. I developed a particular method allowing me to obtain specific designs, differentiating myself from the creations of other craftsmen. So I like experimenting a lot, I would just like to find more time to devote myself to it.

In particular, you made the CLOCHE smokehouse, produced by OROS. What interests you in this project?

It was the first time that I responded to this kind of project. Obviously, this aroused my curiosity, I quickly had the feeling that it was going to be enriching. This allows you to refocus on your work and develop your critical thinking.

What kind of projects would you like to develop in the future? 

The most important thing for me is not really to develop other projects strictly speaking, but rather to live from my passion, to work with partners who inspire me, and to be able to develop more artistic, bigger and crazier pieces!

Discover here the BELL smoking room shot by Luis.