Llazi Icka is one of the last wood carving artisans in Albania using traditional techniques and one of the best European master artisans. He learnt the trade from his father, who was himself taught by his father, Llazi’s grandfather.

From his early childhood, Llazi would work alongside his father and grandfather, Spiro, learning to master traditional woodcarving techniques. He later became a woodwork teacher in the local primary school, training several hundred students to recognise wood, to love this material and to create functional as well as artistic items.

His woodcarving, whether decorative or functional, was exhibited annually in his hometown as well as in galleries throughout the country and abroad. After retiring in 1995, Llazi opened a small workshop where he could practise and further perfect his skills.

Llazi wishes to pass his knowledge onto others, seeking to preserve and perpetuate these skills. His son is the fourth generation of the family to have inherited the passion for woodcarving and does so in his spare time from work.

Using different types of chisels, the power of the arm and the skill of the master, complex and beautiful objects are made, such as ornaments, equipment, figures and sculptures. Woodcarving is one of the oldest crafts practised throughout Albania.

Llazi Icka is more than 80 years old but still carves wood with the same passion that his father and grandfather sowed in him when he was just a small boy. The intricately carved furniture and the walls of his workshop, decorated in carved wooden objects, are testament to his passion for this method of work.

Llazi followed his father into his workshop and began drawing and designing objects. Little by little, he started to practise woodcarving, perfecting and mastering age old methods over many years. Llazi has a deep knowledge of the different types of wood and can judge their quality by touch. He finds wood while on walks through the forest and around the lake, or asks farmers in neighbouring villages to bring him wood.

Llazi Icka has dedicated his life to passing this heritage down to a new generation of passionate pupils. He taught both his son and daughter and wishes that someday they too can pass on this knowledge.

Double Ellipse is a handmade carving in walnut wood. The object is composed of two regular ellipses carved in a floral pattern. This masterpiece was carved 20 years ago.

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