Jérôme Clochard

Absolut Mosaique

Mosaic maker

©David Pacaud

Contemporary mosaic composing

Jérôme explores mosaics for their artistic potential
He works on heritage restoration projects in parallel to his own creations
His purpose with mosaics is to inspire emotion in the viewer

Jérôme Clochard likes to compare mosaics to music. “I seek to make mosaics express their unique and distinctive qualities. I like the idea of being a 'mosaic composer', someone who harmonises materials to create a visual emotion,” he explains. His personal creations are a quest for harmony, between textures, colours, proportions and light. Abstraction and the concept of non-finito, where part of the work remains raw and unfinished, are guiding principles in Jérôme's artistic practice. Alongside his growing dedication to his work as an artist, Jérôme specialises in the restoration of historical monuments, preserving France's cultural heritage. This work allows him to keep uncovering the untapped potential of mosaics, and translate it into his contemporary pieces.

Interview

©David Pacaud

©David Pacaud

What is your training background?: I started mosaics only after I turned 30. Before that, I was not ready for a profession as meditative as this one. I needed adventure and I was a scuba diver. I was fortunate enough to dive in the bays of Naples and discover Roman ruins. All the mental images of this experience have likely influenced my interest in mosaics.
What is your approach based on?: I am primarily drawn to abstraction, which I use to emphasize contemporary mosaics. I am also deeply inspired by the concept of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophical and aesthetic concept that values irregularity, imperfection, the trace of the hand. A kind of beauty found in simplicity is how I would sum it up.
What are your sources of inspiration when you work on your own creations?: I mainly try to detach myself from the world of mosaics. I get influenced by other fields, such as art in general, and textiles. I enjoy attending fashion shows. I am also interested in photography, art déco, music and painting. I stay connected to contemporary art and art history in general.
How do tradition and innovation express themselves in your work?: I would say that the ancient mosaics I encounter daily make me discover the potential of mosaics. The possibilities I find in the past give me ideas for new creations. I try to take elements from ancient techniques and place them within a contemporary approach.

Jérôme Clochard is a master artisan: he began his career in 2003 and he started teaching in 2015