The Malmstens programme changed Sebastiáns life

Sebastián Mateu, an alumnus from Malmstens, Linköping University, shares his journey and experiences in the Malmstens cabinetmaking program. Despite doubts from those around him and having what he considered the "ugliest" portfolio, he was accepted into the program located on Lidingö.

Sebastián's craftsmanship and the program opened doors for him. One notable opportunity arose when the Chilean Embassy requested him to create a gift for the President of Chile before a state visit to Sweden. He constructed a beautiful wooden box with multiple layers, containing a tube holding dried, smoked, and ground chili—a spice called merquen, significant to the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile. Sebastián presented the box to the President and sent a similar one as a gift to the King of Sweden, using the opportunity to express his concerns about the sale of indigenous people's land without offending the President.

This gift led to further connections and visits to the presidential palace in Santiago, Chile, where Sebastián collaborated with a furniture conservator and conducted seminars on furniture carpentry at Diego Portales University.

Sebastián's background involved working from a young age, including being a caddy at a golf club. He had initially aspired to pursue a career in golf but lacked the discipline and eventually dropped out of school. However, his teacher recognized his craftsmanship and encouraged him to return to school, which eventually led him to Malmstens.

Applying to Malmstens was initially seen as impossible by those around him, but Sebastián plucked up the courage to apply, believing there was nothing to fear. The first semester was challenging, as he felt intimidated by the incredible talent of his peers. However, he found a supportive and inspiring atmosphere at Malmstens, where craftsmen helped each other and discussed their work. Sebastián began to understand his own aspirations, the reasons for his presence at Malmstens, and why he was chosen—not based solely on his previous work but for his dreams and plans. He realized that his furniture could tell stories.

Studying arts and crafts at the university level provided Sebastián with theoretical knowledge about various artisans, historical and modern styles, and understanding the properties of wood. This knowledge helps him work on multiple projects simultaneously and convey craftsmanship and applied arts to others through podcasts, online workshops, and social media.

Sebastián believes that woodcraft can make people better by helping them understand the process and the longevity of the furniture they create. He emphasizes the importance of not taking resources for granted and the need to understand the impact of our actions on the environment.

Sebastián has set up a small workshop in his hometown, where he works, gives courses, and invites guest craftsmen. He continues to explore new projects, such as creating graffiti inlay motifs using his inlay saw. His experiences at Malmstens have had a profound impact on his life, teaching him the importance of taking initiative and promoting his artwork to gain recognition.