Marc Ricourt, LimeWood DD13, 2013. Lime wood, 35 x 34 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Ricourt sources the material for his organic wood objects from the bucolic surroundings in which he lives, translating nature into sculpture. He initially turns local wood on the lathe, intricately carves and then treats the surfaces, through bleaching, dying or an application of ferrous oxide, to create beautifully complex and idiosyncratic works of art. Ricourt intuitively creates a perfect harmony between wood, shape, texture and colour. The artist comments the he initially draws inspiration from the historicity of the utilitarian object, the vessel form:

I’ve based my work around a simple but very essential object, as it was the first tool created and used by mankind… Useful, yet mysterious, the closed vessel symbolically holds all mysteries and secrets of the human soul. My work on vessels has allowed me to develop a relationship between ancient or geographically remote cultures and civilizations and modern creations. The most important facet of my work is the research and exploration of new forms, colours, textures and finishes.

Marc Ricourt, Maple C14, 2014. Maple, 56 x 22.5 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Ricourt works and lives near Dijon, France. He is an established international artist who has had exhibitions at SOFA Chicago; COLLECT, London; and galleries in Los Angeles, Geneva, Paris and Luxembourg. He is also part of the collection of The French Museum of Woodturning and the Arizona University State Museum. His work has been noted in such publications as American Woodturner, Elle Décor, Ateliers d’Art, Arts et Decoration, Woodturning Magazine and The Guild of Master Craftsmen, Lewes, East Sussex, England.

Marc Ricourt, Ash C14, 2014. Ash, 36.5 x 35 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Marc Ricourt, Maple SC13, 2013. Maple, 34.5 x 26 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Marc Ricourt, Ash C14, 2014. Ash, 15 x 35 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Marc Ricourt, Beech SC13, 2013. Beech, 33 x 29 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Marc Ricourt, Limewood C14, 2014. Lime wood, 31 x 34 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Marc Ricourt, Beech C14, 2014. Beech, 35 x 30 cm © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

Marc Ricourt, Oak C13, 2013. Oak, 13 x 15 x 19 cm dia each © Sarah Myerscough Gallery 2014

(Source Sarah Myerscough Gallery)