Maxime Bellaunay

Multimedia sculptor

Fondation Rémy Cointreau©Marc-Antoine Mouterde

©Studio Villa Monica

Fondation Rémy Cointreau©Marc-Antoine Mouterde

Interior landscaper

Maxime defines 'well-made' as a piece that thrives independently
Landscapes and materials are his main source of inspiration
He repurposes waste from his workshop

Maxime Bellaunay specialises in stone sculpting and woodworking. He discovered his passion during a transformative high school internship in a luthier's workshop. Working with stone, wood and metal, Maxime immerses himself in nature, exploring rocks and absorbing the landscapes and craftsmanship of others' works to shape his own creations. Merging traditional techniques with modern innovation, Maxime integrates contemporary aesthetics into his work. The result is a harmonious fusion that makes his pieces both functional and sculptural, bringing landscapes into interior spaces. He produces unique pieces and limited editions through collaborations in France and Japan.

Interview

©Studio Villa Monica

Fondation Rémy Cointreau©Marc-Antoine Mouterde

Why were you drawn to wood as well as stone?: The internship I took when I was 14 left a lasting impression on me. I realised that it was possible to spend your days working standing up and using your hands. It was then that I knew I wanted to be a craftsman. At that time, violin making was not a very lucrative profession, so I began studying wood making, and I loved it.
What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?: I am grateful to have a job that brings me joy and fulfillment, allowing me to pursue my passion. I am also fortunate to interact with a community of fellow artisans who inspire me.
What is your approach to sustainability?: All the leftovers from my workshop find use elsewhere. I reuse the scraps from my coffee tables to make wall sconces, all my small stone scraps go to a friend who uses them as bases for jewellery making, my stone dust scraps go to a friend who is a decorative painter, and all my brass scraps go to my neighbour who is a mosaic artist. The entire workshop operates in a closed-loop system.
Could your craft be in danger of extinction?: I do not earn a living every month from what I do, but I adapt and live modestly. What is important to me is that I can open the workshop door every morning with the same smile. And up until now, people have continued to invest in beautiful objects for their interiors, so I keep working and I do not give up.

Maxime Bellaunay is a rising star: he began his career in 2018 and he started teaching in 2018