1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

I am born in Toulouse, France. I lived there until I was 18 years old and then moved to Bordeaux to start my studies in graphic design. I have been living in this city for the last 10 years and I’m pretty happy with it. The life seems simple and peaceful here…

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

I have several memories that come back ! My parents were not interested by the art world, museums or design field at all so I had to build my knowledge in those fields by myself . It came pretty late around my 15 or 16 so my memories about this period are pretty clear. Strangely my parents also made me do creative activities during all my childhood and teenagehood. So I think those studies were my first link with the « art world ». My very first memory is probably me trying to paint an angel with different inks on a piece of silk ! I still have this angel and believe me it was not a graphic success.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

I have always worked in a creative field. I have a master degree in graphic design and just after my degree I launched my studio. Even during my studies I worked in a design studio in Bordeaux, I really need to be connected with matter and build things.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

It’s a difficult one ! What led you to be who you are ?
I didn’t know I wanted to be a designer, I only knew I wanted to create things. Whatever the purpose I wanted to be free to create what I had in mind. And it’s still very important for me to feel free to imagine and create what I want.
In my teenage years I created abstract sculptures, I painted, I drew and I read a lot of books about very famous painters.. I remember I had the feelings that it was too easy to call myself an « Artist ». Don’t get me wrong, is not easy AT ALL to live as an Artist but when I was a teenager this label seemed too obvious for me. I wanted to challenge myself… So I thought creating sculptures that could also be used as furnitures could be amazing, at the time I was sure nobody never did that. And so, I started to create pieces of design around my 17. Through my eyes of apprentice designer / artist / whatever, it looked like a very exciting and inspiring challenge.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

At the time of creation what I’m looking for is emotion. I always start with a lot of sketches, it is my guideline. Most of the time I start drawing without knowing what I’m gonna do. I just let the pen guide me through my feelings. It’a a kind of « écriture automatique » as Surrealist Artists said. I keep drawing until a sketch strikes me, there is always one that stands out, there is always one that reflects what I wanted to express. This is the most important part of the creative process for me, once I have this sort of « intention sketch » I build everything else on it.
I am not very influenced by other designers, I am searching for emotions that I can find in paintings, musics, movies or sculptures.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

One of the best things about my work is that there is no typical day ! I am trying to be the more organized and effective that I can but everyday is different. However, I have a sort of global guideline in my daily routine :
I am not a morning person at all so I wake up around 8 a.m and start working quickly. At the beginning of my day I deal with the externals demands. I always start with my emails, most of the time I answer them from home. I didn’t imagine that before but a big part of the work is answering to emails from suppliers, collaborators, clients etc. Then, I go to appointments with craftsmen or clients. I always book my appointments in the morning if it’s possible. Sometimes I eat sometimes I don’t and then I have all the afternoon to work at my workshop. I check my orders and prepare them, fulfill the certificates of authenticity, schedule the shippings etc. The rest of my day really varies according to what I am working on, sometimes I prototype new ideas, sometimes I sculpt wax for future cast bronze pieces, sometimes I assemble parts for an order. My day ends around 7:30 p.m – 8p.m.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

What I like is to change the material as often as possible. I like to have new challenges and to learn always more with each collection. But I must admit I have a real love for all kind of metals… I start learning how to work with metal during my teenagehood with my grand father and later with my uncle. I like the vibrations of it, the fact that it is hard to work with, that it’s heavy, it demands very specific tools and skills. For one year, I have started working with cast bronze. For me it was a real revelation ! This historical technique allows me to create absolutely all the shapes and textures I want. The possibilities are endless !

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

I am obsessed with solid material ! Most of my pieces are made with solid material, it gives me the feeling to work with pieces of mother earth, it’s rare and precious.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

I would say be sincere in your work.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

I would say a kind of mix between Avant-Garde / Brutalism / Organic ?

11. What designers have influenced you ?

As I have already said I am not very influenced by other designers but the very first contemporary designer’s work I saw was Ron Arad and it had a big influence on me and what I wanted to do with my life. He was the first designer / Artist / Craftsman I knew about, I was spellbind by his work ! (and I still am)

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

There are so much !! Here is a non-exhaustive list :
Niamh Barry / Bec Brittain / Arno Declercq / Coutumes Studio / Erwan Boulloud / Ewe Studio / Frederic Saulou / Jojo Corvaia / Lindsey Adelman / Johan Viladrich / Evan Fay / Jan Garncarek / Awaré / Lukasz Friedrich / Paul Matter / JM Szymanski / Vincenzo De Cotiis / Steven Haulenbeek / Rick Owens / Charles Trevelyan / Nacho Carbonell / Raw Material

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

There are so much !! Here is a non-exhaustive list :
Niamh Barry / Bec Brittain / Arno Declercq / Coutumes Studio / Erwan Boulloud / Ewe Studio / Frederic Saulou / Jojo Corvaia / Lindsey Adelman / Johan Viladrich / Evan Fay / Jan Garncarek / Awaré / Lukasz Friedrich / Paul Matter / JM Szymanski / Vincenzo De Cotiis / Steven Haulenbeek / Rick Owens / Charles Trevelyan / Nacho Carbonell / Raw Material

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Elegant and Radical

15. Is there anything you would like to add ?

–

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)