"I really enjoy making useful objects for which esthetics and honest construction rather than cheapness are determing design factors."

Biography

Karel Aelterman is a talented emerging cabinetmaker-craftsman who designs and makes unique, contemporary and high-end furniture that is mainly distributed through art and craft galleries, and shown in exhibitions. He also occasionally makes commissioned furniture.

Born in Belgium in 1966 and now living and working in Canada since 1994, Karel makes furniture in his studio since 2004. Prior to focusing full-time on cabinetmaking, he gained more than 15 years experience as a translator and meeting planner for government agencies.

He has studied translation in Brussels and acquired his first woodworking experience both as an autodidact and in private sculpting courses. He subsequently attended several courses at Algonquin College in Ottawa and graduated at the Rosewood Studio’s craftsman course in Almonte. In 2006, he wins the award for emerging artists from the Conseil de la culture de l'Outaouais.

Karel likes to pay specific attention to details, proportions, construction methods and quality of materials, and uses intuitive design to create functional pieces of art that emphasise the inherent beauty of domestic and exotic woods. More recently, he started exploring the inclusion of found objects and recycled materials in some of his pieces.

Karel Aelterman teaches private courses at his own studio and can be contacted by telephone at 819.561.7642 and by email at studio@karelaelterman.com.

July 2007