Q&A with David Tragen
We chat to the Cheshire-based furniture designer and artist
Tell us a bit more about you…
I grew up in South Manchester. I travelled during my degree in International Business at Sheffield and continued after university, drawn by my love of languages and music. I lived in Pisa, Genoa, Rome and Syracuse and then moved to Barcelona. It was in Barcelona that I found my creative metier, which began with upcycling furniture found on the city streets.
What started as a hobby became a calling. In my 7 years spent in Spain, I studied marquetry and wood-carving, art and design, and soon I was making furniture full-time. I returned to the UK, where I completed a year’s fine furniture making course in Devon with David Savage and spent a further year working for Silver Lining Workshops. I came home to South Manchester and, in 2004, set up my own business. I now design and make contemporary furniture, sculpture and wall art to commission from a converted barn in Ashley, Cheshire.
Who are your greatest influences?
The first furniture designer that grabbed my attention was Jaume Tresserra and I was lucky enough to interview him in person for my Design School studies in Barcelona. His Gavina bench was a piece that I remember paving the way for me to start bending the rules about “form following function”. At the same time, I was really drawn to the architecture of Santiago Calatrava and there is no doubt that elements of his work have found their way into my design vocabulary. In the last 10 years, I would say that Zaha Hadid has been my greatest influence, but I always have my eyes open to the stars in other creative fields both old and new, for inspiration. Constantin Brancusi and Anish Kapoor’s sculptures, Umberto Boccioni and Bridget Riley’s paintings, even Iris Van Herpen’s Haute Couture. Having said all of that mother nature would be my greatest influence. There is nothing like the Golden Ratio and the effects of sound frequencies on organic growth patterns to teach us that the template has already been laid out for us to tap into.
What have been some of your best jobs/experiences at work and why?
Making pieces that are designed to stand the test of time, means that each project is extremely rewarding as I know that they have been considered purchases by my clients. I really enjoyed designing and making a bespoke lectern for Manchester Reform Synagogue back in 2008. The synagogue is also known as “Menorah” which is the seven branched candelabra and being able to reinterpret this object in the reading desk in an abstracted form was the sort of creative challenge I really like. Another memorable project was making three Strata Series tables which totally transformed a client’s living room. This felt like an endorsement for the new more sculptural direction I started embarking on.
Traditional vs contemporary style?
Whilst traditional style informed my training as a fine furniture maker, my work is most definitely contemporary.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My latest piece Transmission, was my most complex and ambitious to date and drew on all of my 25 years’ experience as a designer and maker. Completing this in April felt like a really significant milestone and it symbolises how I have sought to push my work forward despite the technical knowledge gap that I start new ideas with.
What would your superpower be?
I often dream about flying and as someone who struggles to see the wood for the trees (pun intended), an elevated view of the world would give me plenty of perspective.
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