Maxime Perrolle is our Artisan of the Month!

In this new episode of “Artisan of the Month,” discover the story of Maxime Perrolle, wood sculptor and 2023 laureate of the Fondation Rémy Cointreau. Currently based at the JAD, he concentrates his work on the contemporary creation of unique objects, where each piece tells us a story…

The Trade

Woodworking stands as one of humanity’s oldest professions.  It has evolved considerably over the centuries, from the primitive hand tools inherited from our ancestors to today’s advanced machining. However, many crafts continue to passionately work with this noble material. Each artisan, with their own approach to wood, works it with their body, senses, and deep understanding. Trained as a cabinetmaker, Maxime Perrolle is above all a wood sculptor. He creates unique pieces, turned, sculpted, and burned using tools that have barely changed since antiquity.

The Gesture

The tools, precise gestures, and age-old techniques of wood craftsmen vary considerably depending on their specialty, creating a real alchemy between the craftsman and the matter. Maxime believes that mechanical tools, despite their advancements, create a barrier, a brake between the artisan and the wood. He feels there’s a direct and intimate connection with the wood that can only be achieved with hand tools. His favorite gesture is the use of a wastringue which allows a strong relationship with the wood.  Thus, shapes quickly emerge under his hands, offering a certain satisfaction.

The Transmission

Passing on one’s know-how to future generations is certainly the most important thing for a craftsman. It implies sharing the mastery of the gestures and techniques that define his art. Maxime’s wish is to perpetuate the heritage of traditional tools, an objective that inevitably passes through transmission.