Fritz Baumann
Trained as a carpenter, Fritz Baumann turns freshly cut oak into sculptural vessels that shift as they dry—developing gentle warps, cracks, and asymmetries. His work embraces natural change and highlights the character of the wood through visible tool marks, butterfly joints, and minimal surface treatments.This series of turned bowls and vessels is a celebration of wood as a living material.
Short Bio
- Born in 1950 in Brannenburg am Inn, Germany
- Trained carpenter; passed journeyman's exam at Werkschulheim Felbertal
- Served as a development worker in Jamaica (1971–1973)
- Studied at the University of Television and Film, Munich
- Independent filmmaker, writer, and director since 1976
- Active woodworker, known for his turned vessels and expressive surface treatment
"Visible tool marks are intentionally preserved and integrated into the final design as part of the creative process."
— Fritz Baumann
About Fritz Baumann (Munich, Germany)
ritz Baumann’s approach to woodturning is sculptural, grounded, and deeply intuitive. Working exclusively with green oak wood, he selects pieces with strong character—knots, grain, and natural variation are welcomed, not hidden.
During the drying process, the thin walls of each vessel deform naturally, creating elegant asymmetries and forms that feel both ancient and modern. Every bowl is a response to time and tension, making each object completely unique.
Rather than aiming for polish or symmetry, Fritz emphasizes the tool marks, carved grooves, and brush textures that emerge during the making process. Cracks and splits are often stabilized with hand-cut butterfly joints, not only for structure but as a visible tribute to imperfection.
The surfaces are then finished with either chalk (lime wash) or a dark, oxidized rust-water ebonizing, enhancing the natural patterns in the wood. The result is an object that feels both precise and raw—somewhere between artifact and vessel.