Marion de Raucourt
At The Ode To, we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry. Therefore, we asked Marion de Raucourt to share a glimpse into her life, her art, and her sources of inspiration.
What do you call your series of artworks?
– Minestrone.
What technique have you used?
– The Minestrone candle holders are a variation of a molding technique that I developed and named Minestrone. I work with a water-based acrylic plaster. The material is cast in socks that I create and hardens as it collapses. When I remove the molded sock, the hardened volume retains the imprint of the folds and fabric texture while also preserving the soft shape of the collapsed sock. It's this contrast that interests me—the image of softness that is actually hard as stone, bringing Baroque furniture inspirations into a surreal world where the shapes collapse but remain functional.
What inspired you to create the artworks you have made for The Ode To?
– Originally, I needed a base for a sculpture I made for an exhibition, which led me to develop the practice of casting bases in fabric socks that I create. With a background in clothing design, fabric and pattern-making are familiar to me. I began with columns and then adapted my technique to different objects such as stools, benches, candleholders, and even giant candelabras. My artistic practice is characterized by its experimental and multidisciplinary nature. What drives me is the materials themselves. I impose constraints on the materials and welcome errors that arise during the process. My sources of inspiration stem from banquets, carnivals, and parades. By incorporating the graphic codes and contours of my Baroque references, I allow the material to deform and embrace the joyful deformation that results from the process I create. These imperfect and slackened forms seem to freeze time in a moment suspended between dream and reality.
What other artists do you admire?
– I hold great admiration for the artist Thomas Perroteau, whose unique approach to painting has captivated me. His technique involves layering paint in a way that creates enigmatic compositions where shapes and forms seem to overlap and blur together. We share a mutual interest in Baroque themes, particularly banquets and carnivals, and have collaborated on several exhibitions together.
Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?
– With a Master's degree in fashion design from École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs de Paris, I began my career as a designer in haute couture collections at Givenchy. Later, I moved to Mallorca as a creative content manager for Camper. Inspired by Mediterranean traditions, I developed a ceramic and sculpture practice rooted in my fashion design background. As both an artist and designer, I have showcased my work in solo and group exhibitions.
How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
– Experimental, expressive and joyful.
What we love about Marion de Raucourt:
We’re in awe of how Marion de Raucourt’s artworks freeze a moment between dream and reality and embrace the beauty of unexpected errors. A motto for art – and life.
