Laura Demichelis

The modern bronzesmith

• Her recipe for success is rigour and perseverance
• While travelling in Asia, she discovered ancient Vietnamese methods
• She uses traditional techniques to create innovative pieces

Laura Demichelis felt a deep attachment to bronze the first time she laid her hands on it. After graduating in bronze making from Ecole Boulle, a chance encounter with designer Van Der Streaten in Paris led her to work on contemporary handcrafted furniture in bronze. She knew at that point that this would become her calling. Her technique and skill were nurtured in the workshop, where she was surrounded by people who encouraged her to push boundaries and promoted excellence and perfection in the execution of a finished object. In 2016, she set up Atelier Demichelis in Toulouse, creating entirely handmade contemporary lighting and furniture in bronze.

Interview

©Emmanuelle Braun

©Emmanuelle Braun

How did you discover ancient Vietnamese bronze making techniques?

I travelled to Asia and ended up in a bronze foundry in Vietnam. I learned a lot, especially their use of innovative solutions to make up for their lack of materials and equipment. It freed me; I had to find my own technical solutions, which today are blended with my traditional training.

How do you use innovation in your work?

Each new work has an innovative element to it. I try not to limit myself to what I already know. With each new piece, I’m required to be creative. I’m constantly in search of new ways of working that I haven’t previously experienced in order to obtain the results I need.

Can you give an example?

For a folding screen I needed to find a glue for brass and copper. Through extensive research, I found one used for boats. This use of innovation came from the type of problem solving that I learned in Vietnam – never to be limited to what we already have in the studio.

How do you balance function and aesthetics?

I give importance to my works being practical to use, but they are decorative pieces first and foremost. For example, nobody dresses or undresses behind a folding screen anymore. However, against a wall it’s a work of art and it still works as a functional object too.

Laura Demichelis is a master artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2018

Works

0

0

0

0

0

Where