Nathalie Chaulaic

Mosaic maker

©Marion Saupin

Light dancing on eggshells

Nathalie composes mosaics from eggshells
She devotes part of her time to the restoration of traditional mosaics
She collaborates with architects and interior designers

Nathalie Chaulaic has turned the art of mosaic into her very own practice: the composition of paintings and wall coverings made from eggshells. Through a delicate process involving various stages, she reveals the beauty of this material in a surprising yet elegant way. Nathalie's interest in mosaics began as a hobby, but soon turned into a passion and a profession. Guided by an insatiable curiosity, she likes to challenge her expertise in traditional mosaic making by experimenting with various raw materials. Her use of eggshell was inspired by a trip she had taken to Thailand years ago, where she had discovered the Rankaku technique. As well as playing with the infinite shades of their black colour, she combines the shells with gold tessarae, or artisanal glass paste from Italy.

Interview

©Marion Saupin

©Vincent Baldensperger

Was there a key moment that convinced you to pursue mosaic making?: As part of my training, we were lucky enough to have Italian masters who came for a short period as guest teachers. It was then that I met Verdiano Marzo. This encounter was a true revelation to me. His teaching went beyond training, his approach covered the whole philosophy of the art of mosaics, and something just clicked for me.
How did your work evolve towards the use of eggshells?: I always need to be nourished by new things, I experiment a lot. One day, out of nowhere, I remembered my trip to Thailand years before, where I had discovered Rankaku: the art of working with eggshells. I was blown away by this method, which renders beauty from a poor material. That is when I got the idea of translating it to mosaics.
Why is black the colour you use the most?: It is the colour with the best effect, giving the shell a very organic feel. And the compositions give an effect of skin. Black has many virtues: it absorbs and reflects light. So, the shells are just as interesting to contemplate in natural light as they are in the evening by lamplight.
Do you see mosaic making as a craft under threat?: I do not think so, the craft seems to be booming now. I do think that there is a lack of expertise and craftspeople when it comes to restoration. There are a lot of 19th/early 20th century façades in France, and we do not have the manpower for these sites. Unlike Italy, there are no schools in France dedicated to this craft.

Nathalie Chaulaic is a master artisan: she began her career in 2005 and she started teaching in 2007