Anne-Claire Fessard
bobiebobine
Bookbinder
Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès, France
Knowledge in an oversized construct
- Anne-Claire approaches the book as an architectural whole
- She enjoys exploring colour combinations in her bindings
- Her pieces encompass a wide range of book structures
Anne-Claire Fessard continuously strives to find wonder in her practice as a bookbinder. "I have always been passionate about books," she says. "As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of being immersed in a vast library." This early admiration quietly guided Anne-Claire towards her craft. She developed her skills through training and internships in workshops, institutes and libraries, including the National Library of Hungary, which allowed her to work with books from different historical periods. After several years of working in partnership with a Paris-based studio dedicated to contemporary binding, Anne-Claire is now based in Ardèche, where she collaborates with creatives, collectors and public institutions. Drawing on her wide expertise, she pursues both traditional techniques and contemporary creations to diversify her craft.
INTERVIEW
As an avid reader, I have always held a deep passion for literature. I grew up in the countryside, so books felt like a refuge that opened up a whole new world. I was drawn to the fact that books can tackle every aspect of life.
I practise contemporary bookbinding, with a focus on materials and design. I enjoy working with traditional techniques, such as cartonnage and French-style full leather binding, that are seldom practised today. I also love working on boxes and custom cases.
By introducing the decorative arts to books, I create protective cases for knowledge. Bookbinding is adornment for texts and printed matter, as well as for engravings and photographs. However, the craft should never overshadow what the book contains. The binding is not the star, the content is.
Traditional bookbinding is extremely robust: books are built to last. I enjoy working with very old techniques and making the different stages of the binding process visible within the design. At the same time, I like to work with contemporary materials and combine the two approaches, playing with colour and leather.
