A 5 day course with Marc Fish
Internationally acclaimed artist and designer Marc Fish leads this five-day exploration of the sculptural possibilities of laminated veneer.
In this fun and informative workshop, students learn to transform thin veneers into flowing, three-dimensional forms that balance structure with delicacy.
Course dates: Dec 2026 & May 2027
About the Artist
The course is led by Marc Fish, an artist and designer whose practice sits between fine furniture, sculpture, and lighting. Working from his UK-based studio, he creates ethereal, layered works that explore themes of relics, erosion, and transformation. His pieces combine experimental processes—such as laminated veneer, specialist metal finishes, and cast resin—with refined details like gilding and subtle illumination.
His studio has exhibited internationally, including at Design Miami, Salon NYC, and Design Shanghai, and he is recognised for a distinctive balance of fragility and strength, poetry and precision.
Course Description
This intensive 5-day course explores the sculptural potential of laminated veneer, guiding participants through the process of transforming raw material into a luminous, atmospheric lamp. Drawing inspiration from natural erosion, relics, and layered forms, the workshop embraces an experimental approach that balances structure with fragility.
You will learn how to:
- Prepare and laminate thin veneers into flowing, three-dimensional forms.
- Understand glue choice: tinting glues, achieving invisible glue lines, and disguising glue lines as wood grain.
- Work with vacuum bag lamination, including making your own bags and exploring different hardware options.
- Shape and manipulate surfaces to create texture and movement.
- Integrate LEDs to bring your sculptural lamp to life with an ethereal glow.
- Gain knowledge of LEDs
By the end of the week, each participant will have designed and built a unique sculptural lamp, blending craftsmanship with expressive form.
The emphasis is on curiosity and process: allowing accidents, textures, and unexpected outcomes to shape the final piece.
This course is ideal for anyone interested in contemporary craft, lighting design, or experimental furniture making.
No prior experience with veneer laminating is required—just an openness to exploration and a willingness to get hands-on.
