Jonathan Soulié

Coppersmith

©Samuel Cortès

©Ned Smith

Saving a noble tradition through art

Coppersmithing, which dates to the Bronze Age, is now very rare
It's a traditional craft from the region where Jonathan lives and works
His work highlights this tradition, increasing its visibility

Jonathan Soulié discovered the craft of coppersmithing only recently, learning at the same time that it was a dying profession. Coming from a region traditionally famous for its copper, he was immediately inspired to take up the hammer himself. France’s tradition of dinanderie (a word that gets its name from the Belgian village that made the craft famous) is quite unique: an object, whether practical or decorative, is fashioned using a hammer from a single sheet of copper, brass, pewter, aluminum, or steel. Although today there are machines and hybrid techniques, Jonathan’s goal “is to conserve the most traditional technique he can, using no welding or as little as possible”.

Interview

©Ned Smith

©Jonathan Soulié

How did you train?: Since there are so few coppersmiths left, it was hard to find someone to teach me, but I was lucky to study with two renowned experts: Oliver Courtot and Jean-Jacques Bonnafous. It was also difficult to find the right tools; some don’t exist anymore.
What is the relationship between innovation and tradition in your work?: I enjoy playing with the ambiguity between artisan and artist. Originally, coppersmiths created objects for everyday life: dishes, cookware, even sacred decorations. But I’m able to innovate within the tradition to create purely artistic objects.
What inspires you?: The scope of experience, of feeling. I mean that in the sense of from the infinitely small to the infinitely vast. Nature, in an overall way, for sure, but I don’t limit myself, I might also be struck by something manmade that inspires a new idea.
How do you know when something is 'finished'?: The balance of the curves. I’m not looking for perfection, but a balance between finish and beauty. I first focused on functional objects – lights, for example, because of the play of light on the metal. Now I’m more focused on sculpture; it brings me a lot of joy.

Jonathan Soulié is a rising star he began his career in 2016