About Mark
Mark’s lifelong career as a maker began with an early interest in vernacular woodwork; the boats, buildings and furniture, of England and Scandinavia. Whilst studying for his degree in furniture design and production at Leicester Polytechnic, he was further inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and the design and spirituality of the Shakers.
His work is the distinctive product of a long exploration of these themes and the images on this site are selected from 3 decades of full-time making both commissioned and speculative work.
Mark’s work has been exhibited widely including at Cheltenham Celebration of Craft and Design, Society of Designer Craftsmen annual exhibitions and Art in Action at Waterperry, Oxfordshire.
A regular contributor to Furniture and Cabinet making Magazine for many years, his book, Making Furniture Projects and Plans; GMC Publications 2008 is available through Amazon. He is also a co author of The Hamlyn Book of Woodworking; Hamlyn 1997.
Mark has taught at The Building Crafts College in London and led the Woodworking Skills Program at www.boatbuildingacademy.com from 2018 – 2021 overseeing its development into a furniture making school within the Boat Building Academy.
His work is available through Dansel Gallery, Abbotsbury, Dorset www.danselgallery.co.uk, Artifex Gallery, Suitton Coldfield www.artifex.co.uk and direct from his Hampshire studio.
While primarily focusing on chair making he is available to take on commissions for free-standing bespoke furniture.
Mark is a member of The Society of Designer Craftsmen and The Hampshire and Berkshire Guild of Craftsmen. He can be followed on instagram at markripleyfurniture
All product photography by D M S Photographic