François Gilles – Ornamentalist

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – 1995

François Gilles is an ornamental sculptor.  He has learnt his know-how at Ecole Boulle and has completed his studies with the restitution of a masterpiece by Rousseau de la Rottière, acclaimed at a conference at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2016. Insatiable, he has succeeded the competitive examination of Ecole Normale Supérieure and has obtained an agrégation in Applied Arts. At the same time, he obtained a degree in Art History from Sorbonne. Today, he works in his workshop in the Yonne region of France, creating pieces for private customers.

2015 – Meilleur Apprentis de France

Research and innovation

The ornamental sculptor trade is rigorous, requiring an academic mastery of the techniques. This solid base of knowledge gives a great liberty of creation sometimes with a Fine Art approach. For François Gilles, it is also an opportunity to renew and develop the art of the ornamental sculptor.

Transmission

François Gilles is very committed to transmssion. He regularly welcomes trainees in his workshop to pass on the knowledge and techniques of his craft. He is also a professor at École Normale Supérieure of Cachan and a lecturer in art history. Every week, he volunteers at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs with Anne Forray-Carlier, head curator of the Middle Ages-Renaissance and 17^th and 18^th century departments. He has also begun a thesis in art history on the woodwork collection at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs of Paris.

Fondation Rémy Cointreau has supported François Gilles in 2019, helping him to acquire the tools he needed to become more independent.