Caulen Heil

About

I am a Pittsburgh based designer and craftsperson working in metals and wood. I have a passion for sacred ritual objects. My studio practice sits at the confluence of art, architecture, and craft. I utilize a blend of traditional and modern wood and metalworking techniques. This includes cutting wood with chisels, handplanes, and saws, as well as hand forging with hammer and anvil, and machining on a lathe and mill. I design and craft incense censers, jewelry, windchimes, and more. Whether raw lumber or industrial steel hardware, I strive for honesty and transparency in material and function. My works are artifacts charged with longevity, meaning, and intentionality, designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life. By engaging multiple senses, the objects I craft work together to create an experience of presence in the body and spirit. I draw influence and inspiration from metabolist architecture, spiritual artifacts, and ecological systems.

Statement

My work analyzes socio-economic and natural systems through synthesizing the industrial and organic. My background in architecture informs my process, which merges architecture, art, and craft. My sculptures envision an alternate future for humanity.