MEET THE ARTIST
Jérôme Cabinetmaking
" With patience and precision, each strand is selected and applied to play with the reflections of light according to the desired pattern "
Jérôme
JERÔME CABINETMAKING
art cabinetmaker, Seboncourt (02)
Jérôme tells us how his career change leads him to push his own limits, to let his art express itself.
Tell us your story, how did you find your calling?
I haven't always been a cabinetmaker. Before that, I studied and worked in the metal industry and the production of mechanical parts. I also worked for more than 10 years as an electrical grid engineer. In 2020, I decided to completely change paths. I wanted to start over in a field and a profession that would be more in line with my values. With the help of my region, I undertook a professional retraining in woodworking, a field that has fascinated me since childhood. So, at the age of 35, I returned to school to acquire the foundations of cabinetmaking, and I launched my micro-business in 2022 once I had my diploma in hand.
How would you describe your style and your artistic approach?
When I create objects, I like to combine Straw Marquetry with other materials in varying proportions. I create objects that pair the "raw" quality of wood with the luxurious feel of rye straw in very small quantities to achieve a highly minimalist style, such as with desk clocks. Certain product lines entirely covered in Straw Marquetry are heavily inspired by the Art Deco period through their colors and shapes, such as wall clocks inspired by 1950s/60s Formica clocks. I also create much more contemporary pieces; the colors and shapes I choose allow me to adapt to many styles and every client's request.
What themes or subjects inspire you most in your work?
Many things inspire me, such as nature, architecture, or certain artistic styles. I find many ideas when I observe my surroundings while traveling or walking. Art Deco and the geometric shapes associated with it inspire me a great deal, for example. It is a style that fits Straw Marquetry perfectly, and I was born in a very Art Deco region, which helps. From a general perspective, the color palettes offered by rye straw producers inspire me immensely. Certain colors, similar to those of precious stones, inspire me a lot for my jewelry collections or for certain paintings, for example. Certain shades of green resemble the colors of some tropical leaves, and I play with them for very "nature-inspired" works, for example.
How do you work?
I work in my small 40m2 workshop in the Hauts-de-France region. I try to work as locally as possible. I mainly use wood from local forests, but also wood reclaimed from old furniture or items destined for the landfill. The rye straw is grown, cut, and dyed in France.
I design, cut, and machine my own solid wood projects as well as the supports for my straw marquetry. I do a lot of custom work on request, but also create one-off pieces or small batches that I sell at exhibitions and online.
Do you have a particular technique or specific know-how? Without revealing all your secrets, have you developed your own methods and techniques?
I have specialized in Straw Marquetry. This is an ancestral, time-consuming, and luxurious technique that consists of opening, smoothing, and applying dyed straw onto various surfaces (objects, paintings, furniture...). With patience and meticulousness, each strand is selected and applied to play with light reflections according to the desired pattern. Every object, curve, and design requires varying degrees of experience and dexterity. On one hand, I enjoy creating objects with "simple" patterns to make this technique more accessible, and on the other, I also enjoy pushing my limits and experimenting with new techniques in larger and more imposing projects, such as when I created the coat of arms for the City of Saint-Quentin. At the start of the project, I didn't know how I was going to create this piece, but I knew I had to do it!
Tell us about your daily life, your constraints, your joys, your successes…
Whether for small-batch creation or a custom project, everything begins with the technical design. I create sketches, analyze the constraints provided by the client, and propose several adapted solutions. Once all elements are validated (dimensions, pattern, colors, materials...), I manufacture the objects and supports myself, which I will then decorate with straw marquetry. Delivering the final piece to the client is always a highlight. Even having imagined and drawn what we intended to reproduce, one remains in awe when standing before the finished product. My biggest project was creating the coat of arms for the city of Saint-Quentin (02) in a large format (1.60m x 1.20m) entirely in straw marquetry. It required over 500 hours of work, and the result was as stunning for me as it was for those present at the inauguration.
A message to convey, anything else you would like to share?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you need a custom project. From a simple idea, even if incomplete, it is possible to create something unique together that suits your taste, to enhance your interior or simply to treat yourself to a useful and pleasant object.
