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The first installment in our new craftsmanship blog post series…
It’s shaping up to be a momentous year for Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard.
2020 saw The Light Yard rebranding to reflect our exclusive relationship with master craftsman Gwyn Carless, who is marking a milestone of his own this year.
In 1995, fresh from a degree at Loughborough University’s Design School, Gwyn began working as a lighting designer. That means 2020 will be his 25th year in the industry.
Gwyn is too modest to shout about his skills and experience. That’s why we’ve decided to make a fuss on his behalf.
We’re marking Gwyn’s anniversary with a series of blog posts celebrating the quality that comes from passion, care and attention to detail.
In the first instalment, we’ll look at Gwyn’s amazing career and ask what it takes to become a master craftsman.
Gwyn is one of a handful of UK craftspeople with the skills and expertise needed to produce beautiful internal and external lighting fixtures using artisanal techniques.
Gwyn still relies on traditional methods to create high-quality fixtures with excellent environmental credentials. He crafts every fixture in his Derbyshire studio – an approach that’s increasingly rare in a market dominated by mass-production.
Trust us when we say you won’t find lights like Gwyn’s anywhere else in the world.
What makes a master craftsman?
Once a term used to refer to a member of a medieval guild, today a master craftsman is a highly skilled technician who creates beautiful objects, built with care and passion, and presented with the utmost pride.
The work of a master craftsman is more complicated than it seems. They must adhere to the strictest safety protocols, while ensuring technical specifications are met. They’re required to operate advanced computer technology, power tools and mechanised equipment.
Craftspeople still take an artisanal approach to their work, however. They’re as much artists as they are technicians and their creative flare is evident in everything they do.
Whether they’re drawing, sculpting or painting, the master craftsman goes to any length to design and create original products that fascinate and delight.
“A craftsperson is always creating interesting new work,” explains Gwyn. “There’s this combination of technical skill and artistry that’s becoming less and less common, especially in the digital age.
“In the UK, we are a bit sheepish about giving ourselves titles like master craftsman. But it’s important to acknowledge the career progression that’s possible to make the profession appealing to the next generation.
“The title master craftsman also signals to consumers which makers are likely to have the skills and experience they’re after. I’d never introduce myself to someone on the street that way though!”
For more information about Gwyn’s craftsmanship, follow Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. To speak with a member of our team, call +44 (0)330 2233 940 or email info@thelightyard.com.