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My name is Alireza and I am from Iran. My background is in architecture, but alongside that, I have always had a deep passion for woodworking.
At the end of 2019, I began training in woodturning under one of the most renowned masters in Iran. I quickly discovered that this was exactly the craft to which I wanted to dedicate my life.
My passion soon grew into a serious practice. I participated in various exhibitions in Iran, including the Fajr Festival, where several of my works were selected and exhibited. These experiences made it clear to me that woodturning is not just a hobby for me, but a way to express my vision and beliefs about life.
A large part of my current work in the Netherlands is crafted from local wood from the province of Groningen. These are trees that have fallen during storms, or that had to be felled due to disease. It is important to me that no tree is cut down solely to create an object. Instead, I choose wood that already has a history, and through my work, it is given a second chance at life. Through this process, local wood from Groningen is not just reused — it is reborn.
The choice of wood is an essential part of the process for me. I feel particularly drawn to pieces that have been discarded by others: wood that has been forgotten in storage, left behind in nature, damaged, or even destined to be burned.To most people, these pieces seem worthless. To me, they are treasures. They are more difficult to work with — cracked, irregular, unpredictable — but that is precisely where the magic happens. The greater the challenge, the more surprising and beautiful the end result can be.
Just as every piece of wood carries a hidden story, I believe that every person carries a story too — and that every story can become an opportunity for a new beginning. It is about listening, about giving second chances, and about standing side by side. Because in both wood and people, beauty often reveals itself exactly where it is least expected.
