Caleb Engstrom
Caleb, a California artisan that works across a variety of design areas and materials, specializes in making unexpected work that sparks conversation and connection. Case in point: his Special Damages collection that blends burl wood and crushed eggshells. We interviewed Caleb to learn about his inspiration, what he loves about his career, and advice he has for aspiring artisans. Meet Caleb.
DS: Hi Caleb! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about yourself.
Caleb: I am an artist based in Los Angeles, California. In 2020, I received an MFA in Fine Art from the University of California, Irvine. Since 2010, I have been operating under the interdisciplinary studio practice name of Rest Energy. This umbrella name allows me to navigate between fine art, furniture, curatorial ideas, and fabrication for other artists, designers, and architects.
DS: Amazing. What do you love the most about your job?
Caleb: I love that my work allows me to put not only objects but also a part of myself into the world. It creates opportunities to meet new people and form connections.
DS: You have created some incredible work. What is your favorite material to work with?
Caleb: I don't have a single favorite material. My studio is heavily equipped for working with wood, which is the most common material I use in my fabrication work. However, my favorite moments are when I'm experimenting with new materials and discovering something new or achieving a breakthrough.
Wet Wool chair by Caleb Engstrom
DS: What project you worked on that you are the most proud of, and why?
Caleb: I'm most excited by the new work I'm making, but I'm particularly proud of my first furniture collection, Wet Wool. This work felt like a natural combination of my conceptual art background with my interest in creating functional, livable items.
DS: Love that. Where do you find inspiration?
Caleb: Language, Restraint, Uneasiness
DS: You have a robust design career. What advice would you give to aspiring furniture makers and artisans?
Caleb: Keep going (I tell myself this all the time)! This is a long road, and maintaining a patient mindset helps in the moment on a particular piece or project and can be applied to a longer-term vision as well.
DS: What is your favorite design style?
Caleb: Rather than a specific style, I like when things are unconcerned—not bizarre or excessively wild, but earnest and design genuinely interested in a unique perspective.
Special damages cabinet by Caleb Engstrom
DS: What are your favorite 3 cities in the world?
Caleb: Los Angeles: I've lived here, and I always tell people this city has grown on me slowly. Initially, it felt like a monolith of beige strip malls-- I was living zoomed out. But as I live here longer, get closer, I see so many more details and texture. New York City: I spent my early twenties to mid-thirties here, experiencing significant personal transformation. Because you said in the world..... any small town on Crete.
DS: Who are some creative people that you find interesting?
Caleb: Spencer Lee, Austin DeSanto, Eric Juergens, Clarissa Chunn
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