Takahashi McGil are an artistic duo comprised of husband and wife, Mark McGilvray and Kaori Takahashi, who met at Wimbledon School of Art where they both studied Fine Art. Mark is originally from South Africa and Kaori is from Japan, and the pair now live and work in Devon.
Initially, they made work for personal use, and in 2016 they happily set up their own studio, making their craft their livelihood. Since then, they were initiated into MAKE Southwest, and in 2019 they were selected for the Toast New Makers programme. Combining Japanese and Western woodwork techniques, Takahashi McGil harmoniously honour tradition and create functional furniture and exceptional homeware designs that are crafted from a beautiful array of local and sustainable hardwoods.
The collaborative pair hold a deep appreciation for nature, which is manifested into their flawless designs. Their practice transcends the multidisciplinary approach, using tools from both traditions to make the work, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces. Together they plane, chisel, turn, wax and lacquer with great precision and attention to detail. Each considered piece celebrates the natural beauty of the material.
