{"id":6231,"date":"2025-11-29T12:38:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T12:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/29\/leonore-chastagner-creates-gentle-connections-between-figurative-gestures-and-objects-vast\/"},"modified":"2025-11-29T12:38:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T12:38:38","slug":"leonore-chastagner-creates-gentle-connections-between-figurative-gestures-and-objects-vast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/29\/leonore-chastagner-creates-gentle-connections-between-figurative-gestures-and-objects-vast\/","title":{"rendered":"L\u00e9onore Chastagner creates gentle connections between figurative gestures and objects &#8211; Vast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>From various natural colors of clay, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/leonorechastagner.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leonore Chastagner<\/a> Gives a delicate portrayal of the human form. She details the wrinkles on one&#8217;s knuckles, the creases in a pair of denim jeans, and the intricate folds of a loosely folded T-shirt. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I use clay the same way one uses a diary: to record the emotions of daily life and the things around me,&#8221; Chastagner tells Colossal. &#8220;When I&#8217;m alone I&#8217;m interested in what&#8217;s in front of me: my apartment, clothes, small gestures of the body.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2022), ceramic, 51 x 65 x 45 cm. Photo by Jaclate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Chastagner&#8217;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 \u2013 a ritual seen in countless ancient cultures around the world.<\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;I was also attracted to (clay&#8217;s) simplicity,&#8221; says the artist. &#8220;It is a natural material that has been used by humans since the earliest civilizations. It has a universal quality.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>During this time the artist&#8217;s work will be seen in solo presentation <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ceramic.brussels\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ceramic brussels<\/a>which runs from 21 to 25 January, and celebrates his win of the fair&#8217;s Juried Art Prize last year. Chastagner is also working toward solo exhibitions opening in April <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/centrale.brussels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">central<\/a> in Brussels and in May <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/annesarahbenichou.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Galerie Anne-Sarah Benichou<\/a> In Paris. Learn more about him <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/leonorechastagner.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a> And <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/leonorechas\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>,<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1895\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-7.jpg\" alt=\"A clay sculpture by L\u00e9onore Chastagner depicting the torso of a woman wearing a cardigan and with folded hands, without a head\" class=\"wp-image-466216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-7.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-7-640x606.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-7-960x910.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-7-768x728.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-7-1536x1455.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2025), ceramic, 9 x 6 x 11 centimeters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1308\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-2.jpg\" alt=\"A ceramic sculpture by Leonore Chastagner that looks like a folded T-shirt made of red clay\" class=\"wp-image-466211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-2.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-2-640x419.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-2-960x628.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-2-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-2-1536x1005.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2022), ceramic, 40 x 50 x 15 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1477\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-5.jpg\" alt=\"A ceramic sculpture by Leonore Chastagner of a slender hand and sleeve detail, made in light brown clay\" class=\"wp-image-466214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-5.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-5-640x473.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-5-960x709.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-5-768x567.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-5-1536x1134.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2023), ceramic, 21 x 10 x 5 cm. Photo by Jeremy Joslin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1983\" height=\"1321\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-10.jpg\" alt=\"A small ceramic sculpture by Leonore Chastagner of a living room tableau in gray clay\" class=\"wp-image-466225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-10.jpg 1983w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-10-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-10-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-10-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1983px) 100vw, 1983px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2023), ceramic, 10 x 14 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4.jpg\" alt=\"A ceramic sculpture by Leonor Chastagner depicting a seated woman, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, with her legs crossed and her head uncovered.\" class=\"wp-image-466213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4-640x852.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4-960x1278.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4-768x1022.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4-1154x1536.jpg 1154w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-4-1539x2048.jpg 1539w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2023), ceramic, 14 x 5 x 7.5 cm. Photo by Jaclate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-1.jpg\" alt=\"A ceramic figurine of a three-quarter hand, shown from the side with the index finger in an arc, by L\u00e9onore Chastagner\" class=\"wp-image-466210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-1-640x440.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-1-960x660.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-1-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-1-1536x1056.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2021), ceramic, 10 x 8 centimeters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1260\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-9.jpg\" alt=\"Two clay sculptures of yard balls, one white and one dark brown, by Leonore Chastagner\" class=\"wp-image-466218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-9.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-9-640x403.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-9-960x605.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-9-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-9-1536x968.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view at the Salon de Montrose (2025). Photo by Louise Saward<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-6.jpg\" alt=\"A clay sculpture by Leonore Chastagner of a white, folded T-shirt held in the artist's hands\" class=\"wp-image-466215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-6.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-6-640x468.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-6-960x703.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-6-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chastagner-6-1536x1124.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Untitled (2023), ceramic, 18 x 16 x 5 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do these kinds of stories and artists matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark>    Become a VAST member now, and support independent art publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>hide ads<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite articles<\/li>\n<li>Get 15% Off <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.shop\/\">huge shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Receive members-only newsletters<\/li>\n<li>Give 1% to art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From various natural colors of clay, Leonore Chastagner Gives a delicate portrayal of the human form. She details the wrinkles on one&#8217;s knuckles, the creases in a pair of denim jeans, and the intricate folds of a loosely folded T-shirt. &#8220;I use clay the same way one uses a diary: to record the emotions of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6231","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-career"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6231"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6233,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6231\/revisions\/6233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelifesphere.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}