Jean-François Lemaire

Glass sculptor

The terrestrial to celestial connection

Jean-François is passionate about the mystery of fire
He experimented with sculpture at the age of 17 and taught himself
He regularly showcases his work at exhibitions

Jean-François Lemaire defies categorisation. He has practised his artistic craft since the early 1990s as a visual artist and glassmaker, and extended his skills to also become founder, scenographer, teacher and gallery owner. His works range from small, decorative objects to monumental sculptures in public spaces. Mostly based on the themes of fire and time, Jean-François' sculptures are made in crystal, glass paste, bronze, ceramic, and even concrete, more recently. These alliances allow him to bring out the expressive energy of each element. He runs courses and conferences on the history of art and transmits the culture of glass through events and theatre performances. His work is ever-evolving, almost intangible, and akin to a living canvas. To Jean-François, glass and crystal sculpting is testament to the elevation of mankind through the connection of ground and sky.

Interview

Do you have a favourite material?: Both glass and crystal because they are the only materials that allow the shape to be worked on both the inside and the outside the sculpture.
How does your art relate to human beings?: Glass sculpting is about researching the ability for glass to contain and preserve, working on colours, pushing the limits of the material. Through making and assembling large-scale objects, artists have focused on reaching towards the light and on capturing time poetically.
What was your biggest artistic challenge?: It was the creation of an urban sculpture for the city of Troyes in France. It stood at 3 metres high and weighed 500 kg of glass.
What is the objective of your gallery ARTES?: We aim to show mainly the creations of contemporary artists around the arts of fire, such as ceramics, bronze, metals, glass and crystal.

Jean-François Lemaire is a master artisan: he began his career in 1993 and he started teaching in 1995