Impressions of the Earth's crust
- Marion masters the specific technique of crackled clay
- She describes her ceramics as adornments for interior spaces
- She plays an active role in the promotion of craft in her region
Discovering ceramics was an instant revelation for Marion Richaume. She first encountered the craft at the Marché International de la Céramique in the Aubagne region, and immediately recognised the potential for a fulfilling and meaningful profession. She trained under two master artisans in her region and shortly after, in 2013, opened her own studio. Specialising in wheel throwing, Marion’s work is notably distingished by her mastery of crackled clay – a technique that gives her pieces a textured, fractured surface. Through her earthenware, both utilitarian and decorative, she likes to explore the contrast between this rough texture and glazed, coloured surfaces. Alongside her artistic practice, Marion is fully engaged in the development of crafts in her community.
Interview
- Why did you turn to ceramics?
- I have a background in art and sales, with an international outlook. Clay was the perfect material for developing my artistic skills while combining my profound desire for entrepreneurship within the world of craftsmanship. The ceramic profession brought together all my interests.
- How do you interact with tradition and innovation in your work?
- My pieces are traditionally shaped using the potter's wheel. At the end of the throwing process, I introduce a specific and innovative technique that involves tearing the clay in a harmonious way, without affecting its suitability for food use. The cracked effect appears only on the outside of the piece. This requires a high level of skill in wheel-throwing.
- For you, what defines a ‘well-finished’ ceramic piece?
- Between the initial idea and work with clay, a relationship is established. The connection with the material, the texture, and the process itself help the initial idea to evolve, until a sense of harmony and balance is found between the form and the finished piece – that is when it feels truly well finished.
- Is your craft practice closely connected to local region?
- Yes, I am very involved in my local community. I would like to see Rosans become a village with the label Ville et Métiers d’Art. As President of the Rosans Artisan Association and an active member of several local organisations, I am working to transform this medieval town into a village of potters and craftspeople.
Marion Richaume is a master artisan: she began her career in 2013 and she started teaching in 2015
Where
Marion Richaume
