Shaping Soulful Art
Níccolo José (b. 1986, PH) is a Filipino visual artist and self-taught woodworker who creates one-of-a-kind sculptural furniture, large art projects, and unique wood interiors. He crafts them from up-cycled reclaimed old wood in order to breathe new life into the hardy material, pushing the limits of the wood to create soulful, fluid forms, thus contributing to the art furniture movement of the Philippines while being an advocate for the environment.
His personal study and care for ergonomics, especially when it comes to his sculptural chairs, has and continues to help collectors. His attention to this key element for his works has brought surprise to many, that wood can be a gentle, healing, and soothing material when shaped masterfully.
Níccolo earned a double degree in Environmental Studies and Studio Art in Lewis & Clark College (Portland, Oregon, United States). During his sophomore year, he was dubbed as one of the five Renaissance Students in the entire campus. In 2010, he founded his studio and workshop.
For Níccolo, every piece of wood has its own story; he gets inspiration from the conditions that contributed to their uniqueness. By studying its color, grain, natural forms, strength, and flexibility, he has an intimate relationship with his materials. This attention to detail when crafting the works results in soulful art that he hopes engages people in a multi-sensory manner.
His works are held in galleries and private collections around Asia, Central America, North America, and Europe.