Laurent Nicolas: Selected works, 2021-2024
In his work, Laurent Nicolas does not hesitate to blend ceramics with a variety of other materials such as leather, wood, glass, metal, cork, and felt. This approach reflects his desire to explore interactions between different elements to better understand life and nature. He also delves into the concept of symbiosis, a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms, which he transposes into his works. The external elements he incorporates into his sculptures, which he calls “graft supports,” literally complement or support his ceramic creations.
One of the most striking examples of this approach is his reinterpretation of the stool. A functional and universal object, the stool is a transcultural symbol that, in Laurent Nicolas’s sculptures, represents the relationship between humans and nature. This object, which finds its origins in natural forms such as stumps or stones, has acquired significant social importance in antiquity, where it was often associated with the powerful. By revisiting this object, Nicolas creates a link between the past and the present while evoking humanity’s place in nature.
Another facet of his work focuses on mushrooms, fascinating organisms for their ability to nourish, heal, and even poison. In his recent series, Laurent Nicolas draws inspiration from mycology, the science that studies fungi and their role in the ecosystem. Mushrooms symbolize symbiosis, capable of facilitating communication between trees and contributing to soil regeneration. They also play a role in spiritual and magical rituals, a theme that transcends eras and cultures.
Laurent Nicolas explores profound themes in his works, such as interconnectedness, hybridization, and symbiosis, through the hybridization of ceramics with other materials and the use of rope as a symbolic link. His artistic approach, enriched by varied influences, reflects his commitment to contemplating the interactions between human beings, nature, and the world around them. Thus, each work becomes an invitation to rethink our relationships with the environment and materials, urging us to envision a harmonious and sustainable coexistence.
Captions
- Syzygospora, 2024, stoneware, glaze, rope, wooden stool, burnt wood, 96 x 49 x 43 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Tramète, 2023, stoneware, glaze, rope, burnt wood, 77 x 37 x 34 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Trans-Prototaxite, 2024, stoneware, glaze, rope, wood, cork, leather on stoneware, 189 x 50 x 40 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Chaga, 2024, stoneware, glaze, rope, burnt wood, plant, 95 x 51 x 50 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Chondostreum, 2024, stoneware, glaze, rope, 105 x 46 x 35 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Amadouvier, 2022, terracotta, stoneware, porcelain, glaze, felt, rope, 69 x 47 x 36 cm
- Ramaria, 2023, stoneware, glaze, burnt cork, rope, 82 x 42 x 35 cm
- Clathre, 2022, stoneware, porcelain, glaze, wood, rope, 57 X 47 x 27 cm
- Cordyceps, 2023, stoneware, glaze, rope, terracotta, bamboo, burnt cork, 69 x 50 x 42 cm
- Guénépie, 2022, stoneware, porcelain, glaze, rope, 72 x 29 x 28 cm
- Inonotus, 2023, stoneware, glaze, wood, sheepskin, rope, 62 x 44 x 30 cm
- Monologue 3, 2021, stoneware, glaze, rope, leather, wood, felt, 36 x 24 x 28 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Nexum, 2022, stoneware, glaze, rope, cork, leather on stoneware, 32 x 37vx 27 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
- Xanthoria – Table and stools, 2024, stoneware, rope, cork, 35 x 97 x 74 cm, 62 x 50 x 50 cm, 37 x 50 x 50 cm, photo by Anthony Girardi
