Antonin Martineau

Woodcarver

©Marion Saupin

Frozen in time

Antonin specialises in carving human and animal statues
He only works with local wood varieties
He was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2019

Through his wooden sculptures, Antonin Martineau explores the theme of characters. He sculpts the raw material to find the emotion, "to capture a moment of life in a piece of wood." His wooden figures are worked in detail, the wood turning into a fine expression of texture, fold or movement. For as long as he can remember, Antonin has always loved working with wood. He started studying the art of wood carving at the age of 14, at the Ecole Boulle. Fascinated by human and animal statuary, he then specialised in this field by joining the Cademia school in Ortisei. This two-year Italian experience allowed him to experience the heart of a school and city rooted in a strong tradition of European religious sculpture. Since 2016, Antonin has been running his own atelier.

Interview

©Marion Saupin

©Marion Saupin

Was it your love of wood that naturally led you to this profession?: More than the love of wood, it is the love of wood sculpture. I am not as fascinated by woodworking as I am by sculpture: it is the technique that I find wonderful. I enjoy looking for a shape in a piece of wood.
Do you master any specific techniques?: The direct carving technique: carving from a piece of wood. It is the same technique that has existed for 300 years. I would say about 90% of my work is made with the gouge, and sometimes I also work with the chainsaw. Sculpture is about drawing in space, and with wood you proceed by removing material.
What are your sculptures inspired by?: Many things. It could be a person I met in the street who left an impression on me, a gesture or a comic strip. The world of comics in general inspires me. Once I have an idea, I transpose it by modelling it from a piece of clay, in order to materialise it and to find its position in space.
What experience have you gained from Italy, apart from technical know-how?: Italy really opened up my way of thinking about sculpture. I was able to realise that there are several ways of doing things, and that it is up to us, as craftspeople, to appropriate the technique that suits us best. It also allowed me to make enriching encounters.

Antonin Martineau is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2010 and he started teaching in 2023