In addition to Eoghann's College & University studies, Eoghann has studied the architecture and design of the 19th & 20th Century through his travels throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
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From an early age Eoghann started working under master craftsman Doug Shearer, being taught traditional skills like wood-turning and knife-making. This began his interest in woodwork and he started creating his own designs. In his teens Eoghann was fortunate enough to get a summer internship with award-winning furniture designer Angus Ross, and through this internship, Eoghann saw how bespoke design can bring together a balance between beauty and functionality to create fine furniture.
Eoghann went on to complete an MA in European History at University of Glasgow. However he soon realized that his love for woodworking and design would pull him in a creative direction. Eoghann turned his hand to bespoke design and completed a furniture craftsmanship and design diploma at Glasgow City College. He then set up Eoghann Menzies Furniture in 2016. While completing his diploma Eoghann worked under established Glasgow Arts and Crafts Designer Dr. Ross Samson. Gradually working his way up through the business picking up valuable skills and experience. Soon seizing the opportunity to create designs and submit them along side the master.
Dr. Samson was instrumental in Eoghann's design education, lending him books from his extensive library of Design and Architecture. By the end of Eoghann's first year at the business he was gifted over a dozen books as a Christmas bonus and expected to study them. Due to ever-present historical influence and traditional skills used by Samson's Joinery, Eoghann quickly undertook the practice of hand drawn designs, using traditional drafting and rendering skills in a bid to echo the great designers of the early 20th Century.
With over 15 years’ experience in the renovation and restoration industry and through years of refinement and research Eoghann has found his passion, which is the driving force behind Eoghann Menzies Design.
Where the ‘head hand and heart’ come together.
The Art & Crafts Movement emerged as a rection to the mass production, and industrialisation in the late 19thC, and the poor quality of household items. Yet still today we face the same issues. Yet it was as much about social reform as it was about a specific style of design. Followers of the movement strongly believed that the connection forged between the artist and his work through handcraft was the key to producing both human fulfilment and beautiful items that would be useful on an everyday basis. As a result, Arts & Crafts practitioners are largely associated with the decorative arts and architecture (functional Art)
Mentoring Programme
Since the start of 2021 Eoghann has started a new one-to-one mentoring programme, aimed exclusively at those who have been most excluded by society (either through learning difficulties, or long-term incarceration).
This project is currently on the lookout for grant funding - if you think you could be of help please do reach out.
Words from the Current Mentee
While at Work Placement at the Galgael Trust, my supervisor was Eoghann. While there I re-learnt many woodworking skills that I had forgotten. Eoghann offered me a work placement at his workshop, he said due to my work ethic as well as my experience with woodworking machinery and understanding of wood that I wished to develop further. Since being at his workshop I have developed my craftsmanship to a higher and higher standard. I enjoy the variety of jobs the most.