Charlotte Bricault

Ceramicist

©Anouk Van Raemdonck

©Charlotte Bricault

Capturing traces with ceramics

Charlotte gathers natural objects for inspiration
Her work is full of plant forms
She specialises in plaster moulding

Before she became a ceramicist in Belgium, Charlotte Bricault studied horticulture and landscape architecture in her native France. Botanical forms abound in her ceramic creations, amongst others in her artistic tiles. “I use plants and seeds that I collect in nature and urban wastelands,” says Charlotte. “I work with other finds shaped by nature as well, such as feathers and shells.” She is also inspired by ordinary objects, such as her grandmother’s cutlery and tools, that bring her back to her childhood. “Traces and imprints of objects can spark my creativity as well.” Charlotte loves plaster moulding, “because the plaster is very faithful and ‘captures’ the finest details.” She opened a workshop near the centre of Brussels in 2023.

Interview

©Anouk Van Raemdonck

©Anouk Van Raemdonck

How would you describe your artistic universe?: It is situated somewhere between the worlds of art and design, and populated by organic materials, plants and animals – and their imprints and traces. My creations are infused with an emotional force or ‘spirit’.
What was your first creation?: A ceramics collection of imprints, for a gallery in Paris, that was based on objects that belonged to my grandmother. I made it in a very intense period, just after the birth of my first daughter – I felt a strong thread between the past and future.
Can you tell us more about the impact of motherhood on your work?: When my first daughter was born, I was in full creation mode in every way, and started making art installations. After the birth of my second girl, my work evolved and became more focused on custom-made ceramics incorporating everyday objects, with the same artistic approach.
What do you love most about your craft?: The joy of finding fascinating objects, materials and places – without understanding exactly why they inspire me. The making process is very intuitive and physical to me and I enjoy that. I take my time to make all findings my own and to translate their meaning in my own way.

Charlotte Bricault is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010