Materially-minded
- Roger is inspired by the shape and function of materials
- His work is influenced by his background in construction
- He never sketches his sculptures beforehand
Though he studied architecture and engineering, Roger Coll never forgot his roots. As a child, he would visit his farmer grandparents, dig his hands into the earth and play with clay. Growing up, he also studied sculpture, and while pursuing a career in construction, he became obsessed with materials. On building sites he became fascinated by the shape and consistency of wires, bricks, rolls, pipes, concrete, wood and debris. Later on, when developing his artistic vision, he was influenced by both his family background and his studies. Now a full-time artisan, he works on his own, making moulds, shaping, baking and glazing clay, in order to create one-of-a-kind sculptures.
Interview
- Many artisans are inspired by nature, but not you...
- Clay reminds me of my childhood, so there is something rural in me as well, but growing up I was always interested in materials. When I worked on construction sites, I would collect all sorts of items which I would then observe, fascinated by their possibilities.
- What are the different steps in your process?
- I develop a mould which I fill with clay, then add two or three pieces a day, to avoid the piece collapsing. Once what I have devised in my mind is finished, the sculpture is fired, then polished and finally glazed. I like to achieve different textures, so I sometimes use engobe and fire it again.
- Is this a very time consuming process?
- Indeed, it may take up to two months per piece, which is why I work on several at a time. A lot of discipline and patience is required; it is a solitary craft, but I like the idea of knowing where I want to go. That's why I never sketch beforehand, it would be like allowing someone else to craft my piece.
- How would you define what you do?
- It is like a game, but a responsible one. At some point I decided to devote myself to sculpting; my passion became my profession and I had to be clear in my mind that I had many responsibilities to fulfil, that in order to be a craftsman I had to commit to discipline, time and painstaking work.
Roger Coll is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2003
Where
Roger Coll
