Florentin Laurentiu Afrasinei-Riza

My name is Florentin and for me, wood is not just a raw material; it is a living witness to time and a starting point for a form that already exists within its deep fibers. My journey into the heart of the wood began by chance, a long time ago, rooted in a profound respect for nature and its silent stories. To pursue my career as a chemist, I was forced to take a break, which has finally come to an end.I work intuitively yet methodically, allowing the natural grain, the knots, and the internal tensions of the wood to guide my carving process. I believe that my artistic role is to listen to the wood and to reveal the hidden narrative it has been keeping inside for decades. Whether I am working with the noble and dense essence of walnut, the durability of oak, or the nostalgic and warm glow of cherry wood, I seek to respect the soul of the tree that once stood tall.In every sculpture I create, I search for the delicate and elusive balance between strength and stillness, between volume and void, between rigid structure and organic fluidity. Each piece is a sincere, unhurried dialogue between nature’s growth and the artistic gesture. I strive to keep my work free from unnecessary artifice, believing firmly in the honest expression of t...