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At Home With Petr Weigl
I became interested in art... aged 13. My dyslexia meant I was getting left behind with academic subjects so I decided to focus on what I was good at. It made me feel normal.
I quit Microsoft because... I had proven myself to all those that doubted me and my teachers who said I would 'only dig ditches', yet I still wasn't happy. So I took myself to Central Saint Martins and studied ceramic design.
I love working with concrete because... there is more to it than meets the eye. It's amazing how a dark and austere material can become beautiful and sought after.
As a child... concrete was a constant topic of discussion. My father was a well-known civil engineer who pioneered new concrete construction techniques.
My treatment of it is unique... because of the finish. I capture a fine layer of salt on the surface through the way I mix and cast it. The result is an unusual grain which is why people often think it is marble or limestone. I also embed it with different materials like porcelain, precious metals and pigments.
Nature plays a big role in my work... as I love its tranquillity, its natural mathematical patterns and the cycles of life. I also love its honesty and the fact that it's never perfect.
My first break was... a commission to create the Lubetkin Prize - the RIBA award for best international design in architecture. I produced a concrete plaque referenced by Lubetkin's architectural work. It was huge endorsement and my dad - because of his career- was thrilled.
Because my previous career was so impersonal... I work very closely with my clients who give my direction by telling me what it is about my style they like. I create informal and relaxed relationships. The tile aspect of my work also makes it very adaptable to different spaces.
My work suits... period properties just as much as contemporary apartments or hotels. My preference is a mixed environment where old meets new. Ultra modern settings can be quite cold.
My next exhibition... is at Belgravia Gallery on London's Albemarle Street from 15 August until mid-September. My work is part of their summer show. You can also expect a solo show later in the year.
The best way to start collecting art is... to check out degree or master shows. They hold the big names of tomorrow and they're a great place to get your eye in and start chatting to artists.
My advice to budding artists... is to get yourself out there and speak to as many people, go to as many galleries and read as many magazines as you can. You need to build relationships with people and do as many shows as possible. But you must know what you want and who your work speaks to or you'll be wasting your time.
Since I first started, I have changed... the way I see myself. I first thought of myself as a boutique brand for specialised artwork and this was a label from which people were buying. Now I see myself as an artist creating individual works of art. I am becoming more experimental with different mediums, like glass and ceramics. You can expect more statement pieces in the future.
I am driven by... a constant desire to make things a success. Not getting somewhere is not an option. It's just a question of when. I think it's a very important attitude to have if you're going to take risks. I never felt fear switching careers. It was the simplest decision of my life.
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