Kevin Stamper: Woodworking Wonders

About

Kevin Stamper was selected as the New Ashgate Award winner at the Festival of Crafts, Farnham Maltings, in October 2023.

Kevin Stamper Furniture Ltd, established in 1992, specialises in crafting bespoke furniture for domestic interiors. Over the years, the company has earned acclaim for its design, craftsmanship, and project management, collaborating with interior designers and private clients. While once employing a team of five craftsmen and women, founder Kevin Stamper now focuses on his passion for designing and crafting small pieces of freestanding furniture and decorative wooden boxes, working independently to ensure each piece is individually designed and handmade.

In recent years, Kevin has pioneered a unique process for hand-dyeing wood veneer, allowing the dye to penetrate completely without losing colour when sanded. Utilising spirit-based 'light-fast' dyes, his veneers possess a translucent quality that accentuates the natural grain patterns, resulting in stunning and diverse designs. These veneers, along with sustainable hardwoods such as sycamore, oak, pearwood, and walnut, serve as the canvas for his vibrant marquetry compositions, each piece meticulously crafted to showcase his lifelong passion for woodworking.

Kevin's work combines traditional marquetry techniques with innovative approaches, often featuring contemporary and abstract subjects. Each piece is meticulously crafted to exacting standards and finished with a durable lacquer containing an ultraviolet filter to preserve the vibrant colours over time. With an extensive palette of over 200 colours and tones, Kevin's creations adorn collections across the UK, Europe, and the USA, reflecting his commitment to craftsmanship and artistic excellence.