MEET THE MAKER
Ankjaer Design is dedicated to the art of preserving and making sculptures from wood pieces found on the forest floor.
Wandering through the forests in Denmark with my family, I have fond memories searching for pieces of wood or roots to decorate for our holiday celebrations. We would dress up these branches or roots with moss, dried fruit, ribbons and candles and place them in a prominent place contributing to a welcoming atmosphere and reminding us of nature in the darker part of the year.
The joy of transforming these natural elements into beautiful decorations for Easter and Christmas has always been a source of inspiration for me and is the foundation of my current work.
I don’t buy or cut any trees down in this process; I find interesting roots and branches on the forest floor and take inspiration from their organic shape to work them into a unique expression of that exact piece. Each piece is then meticulously cleaned, treated and sometimes burnished preserving their natural beauty in shades of brown and black. Sometimes the wood is gilded and semi-precious stones and other elements are added.
Since I moved to the UK many years ago I found myself still looking at and collecting wood pieces when walking in the woods and have since found ways of preserving the pieces making them into sculptures to be admired and enjoyed indoors all year round, to keep reminding us of our connection to nature, its beauty and its strength.
I am based in Sussex but grew up in Denmark and have a background as a fashion designer and interior designer.
The process of finding and transforming these natural elements is deeply personal to me. Each piece of wood carries a story, and as I clean and remodel it, I feel a connection to nature and my heritage. This emotional journey is reflected in the final sculpture, bringing a sense of peace and harmony to the viewer when touching or admiring the finished piece in its environment.
If you’re interested in bringing one of my sculptures into your space, feel free to contact me. I’d love for one of my pieces to find a new home with you and bring joy and connection to nature.
Annette Huckstepp