Pierre Mariotte

Les Arbres de Pierrot

Woodturner

©Pierre Mariotte

The story of the tree

Pierre works exclusively with local wood burls
He cherishes wood burls and their tormented stories
He is very inspired by his travels and other cultures

Fascinated by the story that each tree carries, Pierre Mariotte carefully works the material on a wood lathe to reveal its beauty. His creations, decorative or useful objects, are subtly influenced by his background. Pierre initially trained as an aeronautical engineer. After a first apprenticeship in Paris, he left for a six-month trip around the world, where his encounter with many different cultures greatly inspired him. On his return, he moved back to his native region, Haute-Savoie, determined to find a new path and fulfill his desire to work with his hands. It was then that he fortuitously came across a wood lathe in his stepfather's workshop: an immediate attraction. Self-taught, Pierre has been committed to the art of woodturning ever since.

Interview

©Pierre Mariotte

©Pierre Mariotte

What was the first object you made?: It was an hourglass that I made from oak wood. I created it at the beginning of the lockdown, and it became meaningful as a way of expressing patience, related to this time. Patience is an indispensable asset to my practice today.
Do you work with any specific techniques?: I like to work with the burnt wood technique, and a new technique of molten metal inclusion where I melt down metals – mainly copper or brass – and incorporate them into the wood. Besides these two, I cherish working wood burls above all else. The beauty of these pieces of wood amazes me and I can find them locally which is very important to me.
How would you define your approach?: I reveal the history and beauty of the material through my pieces. Each turn on the wood lathe is a year of the tree. I love when a piece is finished and you can clearly see the history of the wood. I am travelling through the material.
In your opinion, could woodturning be in danger?: The surprising thing about woodturning is that it is often an activity that you start in retirement. But in my opinion, it is in the spirit of the times. Many young people in my region are picking it up. With natural resources used in a reasonable and sustainable way, it is a practice of the future.

Pierre Mariotte is a rising star: he began his career in 2020