Temporary exhibitions

Dialogue de fibres. Sculptures de Julien Feller

6 July 2024 - 5 January 2025

Julien Feller excels in the art of trompe-l'œil. Using woods such as lime, boxwood, or ebony, he creates sculptures of lace so fine and delicate that they succeed in creating the illusion of supple fabric. Much like lace makers, the artist first creates a drawing of the lace. Without copying antique pieces, but inspired by their ornamental vocabulary, Julien Feller designs unique models that blend tradition and modernity. Then comes the long process of transferring the drawing onto the raw wood surface. With patience, meticulousness, and precision, the wood is shaped. The motifs and reliefs emerge, and the openwork patterns are prepared. Although Julien Feller's tools are common to all wood sculptors, they have been adapted to suit the extreme fineness of the details and the quest for millimetric perfection. Once the surface is animated with all the requisite decorative elements, the wooden matrix is turned over to remove all the excess material. With the same care as a lace maker working on Alençon Point during the lifting stage, the artist reveals lightness and transparency. The lace, weighing no more than a few dozen grams, is sometimes enhanced with touches of gold or silver leaf. With talent and virtuosity, Julien Feller weaves a subtle dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary creation, inviting us to view lace in a new light.