From various natural colors of clay, Leonore Chastagner Gives a delicate portrayal of the human form. She details the wrinkles on one’s knuckles, the creases in a pair of denim jeans, and the intricate folds of a loosely folded T-shirt.
“I use clay the same way one uses a diary: to record the emotions of daily life and the things around me,” Chastagner tells Colossal. “When I’m alone I’m interested in what’s in front of me: my apartment, clothes, small gestures of the body.”
Chastagner’s background in art history also influences her work, particularly through the lens of archeology and the often mysterious origins or uses of small sculptures or individual objects. She is particularly interested in the types of talismans and items that are buried with the deceased to carry the soul to the afterlife – a ritual seen in countless ancient cultures around the world.
Clay itself is a timeless and naturally malleable medium, which Chastagner appreciates for the techniques and continuities she can work with. Because the material is soft and responds immediately to touch, it represents a kind of freedom and openness. “I was also attracted to (clay’s) simplicity,” says the artist. “It is a natural material that has been used by humans since the earliest civilizations. It has a universal quality.”
Recently, Chastagner has been working on a series of domestic environments such as small bedrooms and living rooms. These move beyond objects or figurative gestures to consider the spaces that surround the body and create a sense of nostalgia for dollhouse-like miniatures.
During this time the artist’s work will be seen in solo presentation ceramic brusselswhich runs from 21 to 25 January, and celebrates his win of the fair’s Juried Art Prize last year. Chastagner is also working toward solo exhibitions opening in April central in Brussels and in May Galerie Anne-Sarah Benichou In Paris. Learn more about him website And Instagram,
