Caroline Perrin

Shell worker

©Corine Brisbois

Seashell revival

Caroline loves the beauty of seashells
She dresses everyday objects and ornaments in seashells
She is one of the last artisans to practise this craft in France

Caroline Perrin is a completely self-taught French shell marquetry master and one of the only surviving artist in this field in France. What started in 1997 as a simple hobby, collecting seashells on the Atlantic beaches, slowly became her main occupation as friends and clients became more and more seduced by the simple and luxurious charm of her creations. Caroline's highly detailed baroque compositions showcase the diversity and the variety of shapes and colours of French and tropical shells. Transforming everyday objects by covering them in seashells, her exotic compositions strive to modernise an ancient art form considered kitsch.

Interview

©Corine Brisbois

©Corine Brisbois

How is your craft related to the land?: Originally, I worked with shells that I collected myself on the beaches of the Atlantic coast in France. Then when I became more successful, I diversified my supplies to highlight the beauty of exotic shells, their colours, their designs and their shapes.
Do you master any specific techniques?: I master shell marquetry. I had to develop and perfect my bonding techniques which vary depending on the nature of the supporting base. For example, to decorate fountains, fireplaces and bars, I use different glues from those I use for boxes, masks or frames with a wooden panel.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: The use of shells for decorative purposes dates back to the 15th century with very little innovation since then. I continue to decorate caves or fountains in the same spirit as in the past. The same is true with the various objects I design such as candlesticks, caskets or obelisks.
What is something about your work that is not commonly known?: I like to transform everyday objects by dressing them in seashells. People do not normally know how time-consuming gluing shells is. It is a process that is limited by the manual dexterity of the artisan and it is unlikely that productivity around this could increase.

Caroline Perrin is an expert artisan she began her career in 1995