Judith Cameron talks to a man with an unusual way of earning a living

The beauty of nature was much in evidence in the frosty countryside around Corston when I visited the Matabwa design workshop. It may have been a cold morning, but on seeing and feeling the richly waxed shape of a sculpted wood and glass screen, I felt much warmer. It was no surprise to learn that its creator, Simon Birtwistle, had spent a couple of years under the African sun developing his unusual style.

Born in the Channel Islands, Simon moved to Bath when he was 19 to take an art and design course at Bath City College. At 21, he left the UK to travel around Africa and eventually found himself with some friends on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. He ended up living there for two years, helping to design and build a luxury resort hotel, Kaya Mawa.

"As it is a fresh water lake, we were able to make full use of the local stone, sand and wood. Also, with no building or planning regulations, we were able to work to our own designs without interference," Simon explained.

"Although it was never my intention to stay so long in Africa, it did help me decide that I really wanted to work with natural materials and 'matabwa' is Malawi for a plank of wood." On his return to the UK, Simon trained in Bristol as a carpenter and joiner and has worked with wood ever since.

Instead of producing functional doors and window frames, Simon wanted to use art and design in his work, describing himself as an artisan - a trained craftsman with artistic skills. As a result, the doors, albeit functional and built to last hundreds of years, are beautifully crafted with heavy curved surfaces.

Simon's partner, Paula McDermott, sources the materials and creates many of the designs.

"We do our best to use certified, sustainable European timber and fairly traded African hardwoods," she said, "but outside Europe, it's much more difficult to be sure of what you are buying."

Although many of the shapes are contemporary, they are constructed using traditional joinery techniques - Paula often scavenges for off-cuts of unusual woods which Simon sculpts into feet or handles for a particular piece of work. Each commission is unique and designed in close consultation with the client.

The workshop has been established in Corston Fields for seven years and the couple are finding that sculptured commissions are increasing as the distinctive Matabwa style becomes known, including the popular 'egg' table.

Just before Christmas, Matabwa was involved in the Arts and Sparks exhibition in Walcot for which they designed and built an enormous triple screen with round, hand-blown glass panels supplied by Bath Aqua.

Simon and Paula hope to eventually design and build their own home entirely in the Matabwa style as a successful illustration of the synergy between nature and good design.

Matabwa can be contacted on 01225 874955 and at www.matabwa.co.uk

© Judith Cameron