Interview

Feb 2

Marion Laurent

Marion Laurent was born in Paris in 1973. She lives and works in Annecy and Geneva. Ever since she was a child, she’s enjoyed collecting a wide variety of objects, a passion inherited from her parents, who were keen collectors of antiques. "Mamette," her grandmother, imbued her with family memories through stories, antique trinkets and portraits from an old Camargue house dating from the 17th century. Armed with this artistic heritage, Marion travelled to England, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland to study art - Beaux-Arts and Applied Arts, design, sculpture, scenography, publishing and jewellery. Her work is made up of assemblages and installations influenced by foreign cultures and objects handed down by her family.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“Today, I'm a contemporary artist with a passion for creating installations and assemblages. My work involves combining objects from yesteryear with singular elements to create unique compositions steeped in history. My travels throughout Europe have enabled me to explore different cultures, learn new techniques and discover fascinating objects. I studied art at prestigious schools and universities, where I perfected my artistic skills and developed my own style. My creative process often begins with a search for antique objects, whether at flea markets or garage sales. I'm particularly interested in 19th century objects such as dolls, toys, insects, textiles and so on. Each object has a story to tell and I'm fascinated by their artistic potential. Once I've collected enough objects, I start organizing and assembling them to create balanced, aesthetically pleasing compositions.
I like to play with contrasts, mixing antique objects with odd ones, or creating unexpected juxtapositions. Beyond aesthetics, I also try to convey emotions and provoke thought through my work. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing the reactions of viewers. Many are intrigued by the stories behind the objects, while others recognize themselves in the memories they evoke. My works tell stories, reflecting my family heritage, my travels and my own experiences. As an artist, I'm constantly on the lookout for new inspirations and new ways of creating. My aim is to evolve and continue to share my passion with an ever-wider audience. I hope my work will continue to evoke emotion and tell stories, while honoring my roots and artistic heritage. Finally, I am grateful to have been exposed to this passion for collecting and art through my family, as it has shaped my life and career significantly. I hope to continue to create works that capture the imagination and inspire others, while honoring the legacy that has been passed down to me.”

What inspires you?

“I immerse myself in the study of living things, like biology with its various branches such as anthropology, botany and zoology. I'm fascinated by the diversity of life forms and the complexity of interactions between living beings. I attach particular importance to anthropomorphism and ethnography, as I am intrigued by the way human beings give human characteristics to animals and plants, and how different cultures and societies perceive and interact with living things. Tales, legends and myths are also an important source of inspiration for me. I find that these ancient tales often tell symbolic stories about the relationship between humans and living things, and help us to understand our place in the universe. I'm also drawn to the spiritual, to symbols and dreams. I believe that these aspects of our existence allow us to connect on a deeper level with the living, enabling us to explore wider dimensions of reality. During my contemplative phase, I'm inspired by miniature animals, taxidermy and plants.
I like to observe these elements of nature up close, paying particular attention to their details and beauty. These meticulous observations feed my imagination and enable me to create works that reflect the richness and diversity of living things. In my artwork, I create dolls that transform, hands that appear and birds that fly. I seek to capture the wonder and magic that can be found in nature and convey it through my creations. I believe that beauty and innocence can allow us to escape from disenchanted reality and connect with something deeper and more meaningful. The harmony between human and animal is a central source of inspiration for me. I'm inspired by the symbiosis between human beings and other forms of life on this planet, and by how we can cultivate a respectful and balanced relationship with living things. This harmony guides my inspirations and drives me to create works that celebrate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My creations spring from childhood memories bathed in imagination and magic. I still remember long summer afternoons building tree houses, inventing fantastic stories peopled with strange and wonderful creatures. These memories are an inexhaustible source of inspiration for my artistic creations. Each piece I create is filled with old objects, treasures and oddities, reminiscent of the toys and fairy tales of my childhood. I like to mix techniques and materials, using collage, sculpture and even sewing to bring my ideas to life. My assemblages are often imbued with a certain nostalgia, a search for the lost innocence of childhood. I want to convey that glimmer of wonder and joy that characterized my memories. My works are like open doors to an imaginary world where anything is possible. The recurring themes in my work are the human and the animal, animism, childhood memories and still life. I enjoy distorting reality to create parallel universes filled with mystery and poetry. My creations are not only aesthetic objects, but also emotional carriers. They are the fruit of my overflowing imagination and tell stories, offering an escape to those who contemplate them. In short, my creations spring from my childhood memories of a time when anything was possible and imagination was the only limiting factor. I try to capture that essence in my work, to share a little of that magic with others.”

“My creations spring from childhood memories bathed in imagination and magic.”

How would you describe your work?

“I'm an artist with a passion for collecting unique objects that I find at flea markets, inherit from my family or regard as personal relics. My artistic work is multidisciplinary, with a variety of forms of expression, and my symbolic language questions the meaning of our existence. My common thread is the creation of mini universes, cabinets of curiosities assembled through accumulation, collection and miniature. Freedom and eclecticism are the hallmarks of my work. In these fairytale worlds, the objects I find come to life and transport us into my wonderful world. The treasures I assemble become the actors in my stories, creating new tales imbued with mystery and poetry. With each composition, I take the viewer on an imaginary journey, where the reliquaries become doorways to other dimensions.
My studio is a treasure trove of abandoned, broken and strange objects, which I carefully assemble to create magical new worlds. It is in this exploration of the unexpected and improbable that I draw my inspiration, and I invite the public to explore our own imaginary. At the heart of my concerns is the biological condition, and I explore life from my cabinet of curiosities. In this magical space, works representing humans, animals, plants and hybrid creatures intermingle. Although reality can sometimes be cruel, I manage to give it a poetic dimension. My imagination is vast and inspiring, full of fascinating stories of all kinds. My unique universe transports the audience into a poetic, fairytale world where imagination and reality merge harmoniously. My fairytale world is a reflection of my artistic soul and my passion for the marvelous and the unusual. My creations are a hymn to wonder, to the beauty of the old and the neglected. I remind the audience that even in the most mundane everyday objects there is a poetic potential, a hidden magic to be revealed.”

Which artists influence you most?

“It's true, when you start art school, you're often encouraged to explore different forms of artistic expression. We're encouraged to try out different mediums and techniques, whether it's painting, drawing, sculpture, design, photography and so on. This allows us to familiarize ourselves with the different possibilities and find what interests us most. When I discovered the work of Louise Bourgeois, it was a revelation. Louise Bourgeois has been and will remain a major influence on my artistic career. Her courage, honesty and vision broadened my artistic horizons and encouraged me to continue discovering and developing myself as an artist. Her art deeply moved me and opened up a new dimension in my understanding of artistic expression. Louise Bourgeois' works are imbued with raw emotional power and profound introspection. What struck me about her work was her ability to explore universal themes such as maternity, sexuality, fear and vulnerability. She uses a variety of materials such as wood, bronze, plaster and fabric to bring her sculptures, installations and prints to life. But more than the materials, it's the intensity of his works that grabbed me. They convey a range of complex feelings, from anger to sadness, frustration to joy.
Each piece is charged with a deep personal history of the artist, yet they also speak to a universal experience. Louise Bourgeois' work also has a very feminist aspect that resonates with me. She tackles themes linked to the status of women, and explores the tensions between imposed social roles and the reality of the female experience. Her art is a celebration of women's strength and resilience, but also an exploration of their pain and fragility. Coming across the work of Louise Bourgeois made me realize that art is not just about technique and aesthetics, but a powerful means of communication and expression of the human soul. Her art inspired me to push the limits of my own creativity, to explore my own wounds and find my own unique artistic voice.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process is a journey of exploration, where I collect objects and materials that inspire me. I immerse myself in a creative game of assemblage and reflection, seeking to find connections between these different elements. Inspiration springs forth, guided by a guiding idea that feeds on external symbolic elements. I absorb these symbols and integrate them into my work, giving a deeper dimension to my creations. Then comes the moment of concretization, when I assemble the different elements in a harmonious way. I particularly appreciate the aesthetics of objects with the patina of time, their history and experience. It's this aesthetic that guides me as I refine my work. Storytelling also plays an important role in my work. I like to tell stories through my creations, by accumulating them, collecting them, creating miniatures. I like to spark the viewer's imagination and invite them to immerse themselves in my world. My work is characterized by freedom and eclecticism. I don't limit myself to a single style or technique, but explore different possibilities and adapt according to my current inspirations. In short, my creative process is a mixture of exploration, assembly, reflection, storytelling and aesthetic research. It's a journey in which I give free rein to my creativity and have fun creating unique, emotional objects.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Artists have the ability to represent and convey emotions, ideas and experiences through their art. In this way, they can communicate powerful messages and provoke reflection and conversation within society. They have the power to create aesthetically pleasing works that can bring beauty and inspiration to the collective. Their art can nourish the soul and bring joy and wonder. In short, artists are indispensable in today's society for their ability to inspire, question and unify people. Their contribution is invaluable and has a positive impact on our community.”