Marc Ricourt

Woodturner | Vaux-Saules, France

Artfully organic

Marc is a self-taught woodturner
His first work was a tool handle
He opened his workshop in 2001

First trained in carpentry, Marc Ricourt is a self-taught woodturner living in the mountains surrounding Dijon in Burgundy. He gathered his experience through a mix of practical research, reading, and encounters with other respected craftsmen. His sculptures and vases are rugged, refined, round or stretched. Spirals and grooves are carved under the gouge and the chainsaw. Marc likes to work his creations in a subtle way, like lace or embroidery. His passion for Pacific island and primitive art is always found implicitly in his work. It was by discovering the work of a Welsh woodturner, Mike Scott, that Marc understood all the artistic possibilities of wood. Today, his pieces are part of prestigious private collections and museums around the world.

Interview

©Marc Ricourt

In what way is your craft linked to territory?: My work is linked to my territory, firstly because this is where I live and where I find my raw material. In Burgundy, I can easily find all the tree types I like to work with: beech, ash, walnut, cherry, elm, and so on.
Do you master any specific techniques?: Woodturning and sculpture are my main focus. I specialise in hollow shapes with small openings. Equally important to me are colours: browns, blacks and whites, which I prepare myself with iron oxide, by burning or by bleaching.
What is a memorable moment in your professional life?: I was chosen by Albert Le Coff, organiser of the International Turning Exchange (ITE), for a 3-month residency at the Wood Turning Center in Philadelphia. It was a fascinating adventure that taught me so much about artistic turning techniques.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I do contemporary woodturning. Tradition is present in my work because I begin with traditional woodturning techniques, then innovation comes through in textures, colours and finishes I choose.

Marc Ricourt is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2001