Marle Woman: Amelia Fagence

Marle Women is created to celebrate our philosophy of designing pieces for women of all ages and stages of their lives. Each feature profiles a woman we admire and we hope each interview inspires you the same way in which these women inspire us.

Here, we speak to artist Amelia Fagence off the back of her first solo exhibition and learn more about her craft, her process and her creative style.

Please share a little bit more about yourself, your upbringing and any defining moments that lead you to where you are today.

I often reflect back on my childhood where I was immersed in a world of arts. I was surrounded by talented and driven creatives. My parents are full time artists, and many of their friends were potters, builders and woodworkers. My parents would take us to art exhibitions on weekends, and in our spare time we would create and play. I went on to study architecture and completed my Masters of Architecture in Melbourne.

After a few years of working in the architecture industry I was longing to express my creative side again. The lockdowns opened up the opportunity to spend quality time exploring materials and forms, and I realised that creating and making was my calling all along. I have been creating art, objects, and furniture from wood since, spending every day enjoying the beauty and tactility that wood offers.

A multidisciplinary creative, you recently had your first solo exhibition. Showcasing a combination of object art, contemporary woodworking and furniture design, how did it feel to have your first show?

It was amazing! I had been dreaming of showing my works in a solo exhibition for as long as I can remember. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to design, develop, and make a collection of sculptural furniture pieces, rather than an individual piece. It also required quite a different process, which I really enjoyed. The pieces all spoke to one another in terms of design and materiality, which was the beauty of creating a collection. To see all my pieces showcased in one space felt very exciting, it was like seeing all the pieces of a puzzle put together.

How did this exhibition differ from your existing online offering?

The works that feature online are small homeware pieces, such as plinth bowls, glow lamps and platters, which are all made from timbers with lush rich tones. The solo exhibition differed in that it gave me the chance to push the boundaries of my design practice, by blurring the lines between art and furniture and going big in scale.

Your craft sees you working with a mix of scales – from smaller household objects through to large scale furniture design. With timber a choice of material, what started your journey into woodworking and when did you realise it was something you could build a career from?

I love working with wood. It is such an interesting and forgiving material to work with. For me, sculpting wood feels like a discovery, where I bring beautiful grains to the surface that have been encapsulated for years. Every piece is unique. Many moments stand out in my journey into woodworking. When I was about twelve, I hand crafted a bedside table out of fallen kānuka with a little cut-out heart detail. It still sits by the side of my bed, and holds my book and cup of chai in the morning.

In my late teens I created an outdoor sculpture from a tree grown behind our home. These moments stood out, as I was fascinated by the process of repurposing a natural material into something beautiful and functional. I began to realise that I could build a career out of woodworking several years ago, as I found that others shared a love for quality hand-crafted work.

What do you hope people see, feel and think when they see or purchase one of your pieces?

I love everything about wood, and I enjoy showcasing it in my pieces so that people can engage with it as a material in a different way. The simple and considered forms and functions of my pieces have been designed to enrich people’s homes and encourage slow moments. I hope people see my work and know it is made to be enjoyed for many many years.

What is your favourite part of your creative process?

Almost every part of the process! Getting to use my hands and being fully immersed on a daily basis is very special. Woodworking demands that you are fully embodied and present, which is quite the antidote to modern life. Seeing a project complete and standing on its own is also very satisfying, as it brings a real sense of accomplishment and awe at the transformation that’s taken place.

Do you have any special routines or rituals each day?

I love to start my day with a calming chai, a breakfast of homemade sourdough bread, and sometimes a walk to enjoy the morning light. Once I arrive in my workshop, I write out my list of tasks for the day and then get straight into the making. I often listen to music while I’m working through my bluetooth earmuffs.

Your creative style has a beautiful balance of hard and soft lines. Is your personal style similar? How has this evolved over the years?

Yes, I enjoy playing with the balance between hard and soft, and often come back to the yin and yang philosophy in life and within my works. My works tend to feature structured elements that meet soft organic forms, punctuated with finer details such as interesting joins or bowties.

I think this translates into my personal style. I tend to wear understated and comfortable clothing crafted out of natural materials and interesting detailing. I absolutely love a contrast stitch!

Marle is designed to add effortless ease to a woman’s wardrobe, how does Marle support you through your days? How does wearing Marle make you feel?

When I wear Marle I feel comfortable and at ease, while very much myself. I feel that my values and aesthetic are reflected in the natural fibres, classic tailoring, and attention to detail. Marle is equally perfect for my admin days spent at home, my meetings with gallery owners and clients, and dining out with friends.