Javier Pardo de Donlebún Montesino
ACTIVITY
Javier works in the fields of cabinetmaking (designing, making and reproducing furniture), monumental, special and folk carpentry, heritage conservation and restoration and woodworking projects.
His work is based on a quest for beauty, technical perfection and functionality. It is designed taking account of the nature and… behaviour of the wood used, and accordingly is intended to last. Its beauty lies not just in its final appearance but also in the details of its workmanship, a compendium of solutions backed by centuries of tradition and continually enriched by contemporary contributions. Manual work is essential in the pieces he makes, and it is here that he finds most satisfaction. His sources of inspiration are diverse and constantly growing, as observation, research and exchanges of experience prompt his craft to continually evolve.
He conserves and restores antique furniture and joinery with a preference for the techniques and materials of traditional woodworking so as to preserve its integrity, dignity and technical hallmark, which is of vital documentary value. Yet certain challenges in conservation may also make it advisable to use contemporary techniques or materials far removed from the original procedures.
In any event, he approaches conservation and restoration projects by working out a rationale for the work, justifying the criteria chosen as best suited to the cultural heritage concerned, with reversibility and distinguishable treatments, techniques and materials, along with documentation of processes.
His work was selected in 2011 to represent Spain in the travelling international exhibition “singular.es” 21st Century Spanish Craft, held by the Spanish Foundation for Craft Innovation (FEIA) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.
TRAINING
He took an early interest in technology, especially as regards woodwork, joinery and furniture. In this field he is practically self-taught, although he took a specialist course on Artistic Cabinetry at the Valladolid Craft School in 1989-90. Other fields that he has explored are traditional… structural carpentry, on which he took a specialist course, and wooden devices.
He also took higher nautical studies and has knowledge of shipbuilding and carpentry for boatbuilding. Moreover, he has a degree in conservation and restoration of cultural objects, specialising in sculpture (Madrid, 1989).
TEACHING
Supply teacher in Higher Conservation and Restoration Studies, qualified by competitive examination in 2008, delivering various 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year subjects.
As a vocational job-training instructor, he has developed craft carpenter/joiner training with the La Rioja Employment Service, personally managing, supervising, coordinating and teaching… the project on two successive occasions. To date he has trained a total of 69 students in specialities within the National Catalogue of Vocational and Occupational Training for Employment: cabinetmaking, carpentry and decorative woodcarving.
He has his own workshop with space and equipment for 4 to 6 pupils, and over the years he has built up a modest specialist library.
SELECTED WORK
1. Rebuilding of a wooden floor in Villoslada de Cameros (La Rioja). In a stone-and-timber folk architecture house, the aim was to replace the whole timber framework and some struts, with a staircase and a floor area of 46 m2.
2. Restoration of a bay window… in a residential building in Armiñón (Álava).
Bay enclosure of oak wood of ordinary quality, with many knots, deficient pre-treatment and considerable deformation in its structure and joinery. The latter was disassembled and restored, with many parts being replaced.
3. Restoration of a historic gateway in the Casa-Gil Palace in Laguardia (Álava): oak frame of rails with walnut panels studded ornamentally with wrought iron, with the twin function of letting through carriages or pedestrians, with a 280×200 cm vehicle gate and a 200×130 cm wicket door, and a total weight of some 300 kg.
4. Replacement of corbels and panelled ceiling pieces at the Monastery of La Piedad in Casalarreina (La Rioja).
5. Sculptural altarpiece in Báscones de Valdivia (Palencia province).
As well as the above restorations he has also done much other such diverse work as complete reclaiming of timbers, rebuilding of wooden flooring and furniture restorations of all sorts.
His work in traditional woodwork and cabinetry notably includes a special chest for holding and displaying religious objects in the Chapel of La Virgen de Lomos in Orios (La Rioja), among much other furniture, as well as joinery, turned objects, carving and marquetry, all to order, in doors, balconies, etc.
