Glass as a starting point
- Emanuelle and Diego are self-taught
- Creative freedom is very important to them
- They see glass as a magical material to be revealed through art
Diego Micheloud and Emanuelle Zufferey both studied architecture before exploring the world of stained glass through a close collaboration with the Swiss School of Stained Glass and Design. The profession came naturally to this self-taught duo, who opened their workshop in 2012. They specialise in all aspects of glasswork, from engraving and varnishing to enamelling and crystal moulding. Constantly pushing the boundaries of their craft to meet the needs of their customers, Emanuelle and Diego combine traditional techniques with modern technologies to create contemporary designs with new material effects. Each request pushes them forward and forces them to perfect their know-how in order to create distinctive glass works, inspired by nature and Art Deco architecture.
Interview
- How is your work linked to your region?
- We draw our inspiration from nature, the mountains and our environment to create unique pieces. It is this and our homemade, local products that link us to our region. We are first and foremost Valaisans, craftspeople and artists.
- What was the first object you made?
- We started by making showers, railings and splash-backs. Since 2020 we have been designing our own pieces. Our favourite is the DragonFly table, made from gold-leaf eglomised glass, hand-painted and sandblasted. The base is also designed in our workshop.
- Is there something about your work that people are not usually aware of?
- In the collective imagination, glass is transparent. Our goal is to give it an identity, to make it visible, to sublimate it. It becomes a support for creativity. The customer cannot imagine all the possibilities behind it. We are there to show them.
- Can you tell us about a memorable moment in your professional life?
- Each project is a special moment, but the first time you see a customer's satisfaction, it changes the way you look at your work. Artists are eternally dissatisfied. We need the approval of others to see our work in a positive light.
Emanuelle Zufferey & Diego Micheloud are master artisans: they began their career in 1998 and they started teaching in 2013
Where
Emanuelle Zufferey & Diego Micheloud
