Carl Fox’s Self-taught Journey into Marquetry
Carl Fox is a self-taught maker who went from hairdressing to creating striking works that blend marquetry and leatherwork. His journey shows how curiosity, dedication and self-belief can shape a unique and fulfilling creative path.
What was your first introduction to craft and making?
I have always been interested in craft, from a very young age I was fascinated with the possibilities of being able to take various materials and carefully combining them to create something meaningful and beautiful.
I remember vividly the first time I was taken to the British Museum on a school trip and just being totally overwhelmed by the craftsmanship that spanned millennia. From that moment on I wanted to make, in any form I could, and my journey into discovering materials began.
Can you share your journey?
For the majority of my craft journey, I was totally self-taught. I grew up in an environment that wasn’t wealthy at all and, as result, being able to pay for training in any capacity was not an option. I began an apprenticeship in hairdressing at 16 and in my spare time I always ventured to libraries and borrowed any book I could find on the history of craft. I studied everything from upholstery to interior design, ceramics to jewellery making. I never stopped learning and eventually discovered leatherwork and marquetry, which led me to the practice I have today.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I tend to draw inspiration from the vast history of decorative surface design. I am fascinated with both modernist and classical styles, and thrive when combining precise geometric forms with traditional, botanical figurative elements. I feel that this mixture of opposing styles creates the most beautiful, thought-provoking, tactile pieces.
What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you navigate them?
Money and time were usually the key obstacles as I was learning, however I knew that I loved craft to such a degree that I would work extra jobs if needed, and I would make sure that I scheduled time out in my week to research and play around with materials. We are incredibly lucky to have the web right at our fingertips, and the resources available to watch, read and learn and unending. Self-learning is such an empowering way to learn skills. It allows you to be able to make mistakes and grow from them. It is also an amazing way to develop your own style and personality with your chosen craft.
