Ernst Gamperl

Master Craftsman and Wood Artist

Ernst Gamperl is a recognised artist and master craftsman celebrated for his extraordinary expertise in working with wood. His sculptures are the culmination of years of dedicated craftsmanship and an in-depth understanding of his material. A defining element of his technique involves turning the wood while it is still wet, allowing its natural properties – such as grain, colour, grooves, knots, and burrs – to shape the final form of the piece.

What truly defines Ernst Gamperl`s work is not only his exceptional skill but that he possesses the rare ability to listen to the wood and transform it. He allows the material to guide him, transforming it into something both unique and beautiful. By enhancing the wood’s inherent characteristics through surface treatments, such as polishing, waxing, and carving, Gamperl creates pieces that exude both power and grace.

Awards and Recognition

Ernst Gamperl has earned numerous prestigious awards including being the first recipient of of the LOEWE Craft Prize 2017 for his work ‘Tree of Life 2’. His work is celebrated worldwide and is part of numerous prominent museum collections and private collections including:

• The Museum of Arts and Crafts, Hamburg, Germany
• The International Design Museum/Neue Sammlung, Munich, Germany
• The Collection Issey Miyake, Japan
• The National Foundation for Contemporary Art, Paris, France
• The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London, UK

Ernst Gamperl lives and works in Southern Germany.