Manuela Paul Cavallier

Gilder

©JYT

©Simon Noizat

A golden art of silence, meditation and music

The play of light is central to Manuela's works of art
Through her hands she shapes emotions
She uses gilding as a way of adding movement

Manuela Paul Cavallier’s art is inspired by emotion. She spent time in Florence where she studied ancient techniques and also learnt the refined nuances of natural pigments, she was overwhelmed by the images there. But she is also inspired by Japanese paintings and their strength of identity. The result is works that merge an unusual combination of craftsmanship: art and gilding. Manuela uses gold to make the light and shadow dance – it is brought to life almost like poetry, or singing with hands. Light and dark are in apparent contrast but they conceal a balance between the power of light and the unfathomable darkness. Using ancient methods of restoration, the stages of light give pride of place to the material, effortlessly holding the gaze of the viewer and drawing their emotion out.

Interview

©Florent Pedrini

How do you express innovation and tradition in your work?: Every time I confront myself with the past. It is always necessary to look to the past to understand the future. The art of gilding is very old but you can always adapt it. In this way, I mix contemporary and ancestral, ancient and modern.
In what way is your craft linked to the territory?: Art is something universal and gilding perhaps even more so. It is a knowledge that has been passed on for centuries. My art is an art of silence, meditation and music, yet I try and collect the opposites to form a harmony.
What are your sources of inspiration?: I take inspiration from everything. It can be a meeting, a discussion, the observation of a plant. The aesthetic aspect is central. I like to observe the most intimate harmony and balance between natural and material elements, combining aesthetics and purity.
What does well made mean to you?: I raise the piece, bringing the material together to give it a life and identity. When suddenly it exists, and stands alone by itself, it is then that I have the feeling of a job well done. I love to let the material stand alone, even with its flaws. It’s a mental process, but it’s very strong.

Manuela Paul Cavallier is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1989 and she started teaching in 2021