Nathanaëlle Lobjoy

N-Lobjoy

Paper artist

©Johanne Debas

©Lobjoy

©Prisca Lobjoy

Paper dreams

Nathanaëlle is inspired by nature's fragility
Each of her creations is a unique piece
Her pieces are environmentally friendly

Nathanaëlle Lobjoy has always sculpted and drawn. Creating and shaping objects with her hands is an art that she discovered from an early age by observing her father, a porcelain maker. Her career began in the entertainment and fashion world, creating and manufacturing objects and sets. After a few years, she took off and presented her multifaceted universe: screens and lights in silicone elastomer lace. However, concerned about preserving the environment, she finally turned to paper where she draws ink patterns inspired by nature: floral frames transformed into a kind of singular calligraphy, bunches of flowers and shady groves. These drawings are then mounted on original shapes modelled to create lamps and decorative objects which are always light and poetic.

Interview

©Prisca Lobjoy

©Johanne Debas

Why did you specialise in paper craft?: I opened my first workshop in 1995 where I mainly worked with composite materials. In 2016, concerned about preserving the environment, I chose to use only paper for my creations. It allows me to link graphics to my love for volume, and I find its fragile appearance touching.
What was the first object you made?: The first pieces I produced were lights. The fact that it’s mostly decorative during the day and gives life to a place by lighting it up at night appealed to me. Depending on the choice of the lamp and where you put it, a space is defined, creating a particular atmosphere.
What is little known about your work?: The desire to set myself back from my creations, so that everyone can appreciate them. I try to create with others in my mind, so my hand shaping almost becomes anonymous, my little universe.
How would you define what you do?: My pieces are similar to trompe l'oeil objects. Modelling the paper questions the material, invites you to touch it, to discover it. I like to work with the perception and ambiguity of the material, its fragility.

Nathanaëlle Lobjoy is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1995