Quentin Marais

Ceramicist

©Quentin Marais

Playful pottery

Quentin’s work is built around childhood
His ceramics balance the sculptural and the utilitarian
He works by assembling stoneware and porcelain

Driven by the spirit of his childhood, Quentin Marais creates ceramic objects by exploring the limits between the imaginary and the concrete. He uses clay to express his creativity, handcrafting sculptures of abstract forms and colourful tableware decorated with various motifs. Clay represents “the bridge between the symbolic world and the contemporary universe”. Quentin discovered the craft at the age of 17 and felt naturally drawn to it. Shortly after he graduated from the Ecole Duperré in Paris, he set up his own workshop with his partner, Nolwenn Bruneau, also a ceramicist. As a way to define his approach, Quentin likes to refer to this motto: "It is better to use your intelligence for stupid things, than your stupidity for intelligent things".

Interview

©Quentin Marais

©Quentin Marais

What motivated you to choose this career?: I chose this path for the tactility of the clay. But also, for the environment, which I found very supportive, affectionate and fraternal. It is a luxury to have the freedom to do what you like.
What was the first object you made?: I have always made utilitarian and sculptural work at the same time; I don't try to make a distinction between them. My first work was to understand and build my universe, to translate it through clay.
How do you relate to tradition and innovation?: Tradition is a necessary part of ceramics; it cannot be rejected; I use the same gestures as thousands of years ago. Innovation is the trends, the codes of today, the current colours, the new aesthetics... it influences us all. I like the idea of using traditional gestures to make contemporary objects.
Do you have any specialisations?: I don't necessarily have any specific skills. I use techniques as tools to try to build what I have in mind. But little by little, with time and experience, I have deepened certain techniques such as coiling, stamping or moulding.

Quentin Marais is a master artisan: he began his career in 2011 and he started teaching in 2013