Maxime Goléo

Wood sculptor

©Ludovic Descolas

©Alban Gilbert

©Ludovic Descolas

Art furniture for the touch

Maxime is a cabinetmaker, designer and sculptor
For him, design is an experience that we have to feel
He works on unique pieces and limited editions

Maxime Goléo defines his work as halfway between furniture and sculpture. "For me, a well-finished object is one that you want to look at, but also touch.” The contemporary furniture he carves from solid wood features expressive forms punctuated by gentle curves. A graduate in design and cabinetry, Maxime’s approach to wood was particularly influenced by a residency he attended in Bangkok. The programme was called Voyager pour les Métiers d'art, and was initiated by the Foundation Culture & Diversité. For five months, he worked in the atelier of artist Nanu Youttananukorn: an eye-opening experience. Not only did he improve his skills, but Maxime also discovered a whole new way of working with wood, "a way that is closer to the material, based on improvisation, feeling and intuition," which has profoundly inspired him.

Interview

©Ludovic Descolas

Do you remember the moment when you first thought of working with wood?: Alongside my studies at the Beaux Arts, I did an internship at L'Atelier Lionel Fernandes, a workshop specialising in ornamental sculpture, cabinetry and the conservation of objets d'art and furniture. I discovered the craft of cabinetry and sculpture with Lionel. This encounter inspired me to take up the craft and learn woodworking techniques.
What fascinated you about pursuing a career in woodworking?: Creating a piece of furniture involves a series of simple steps, but mastering them requires a high level of skill acquired through repetition of a gesture. The tool is not immediately docile. It takes patience, time and hard work to achieve a high level of dexterity. That is what fascinates me about this profession.
What are the specific techniques you master?: I use the glued laminated technique, a bonding technique that allows me to obtain large pieces of wood for my sculptural work. Each of my creations requires a mastery of volumes. Curved, organic shapes are not easy to grasp. The project demands particular attention to detail. Once all the pieces of wood have been bonded together, it is about removing matter.
What has been the most significant moment in your career?: My residency in Bangkok in 2019 was a complete change of scenery, both professionally and culturally. A journey full of encounters and opportunities. It opened up other perspectives for me, while giving shape to my lifelong desires. In the workshop, I learnt a new way of thinking and working with wood, a methodology far different from that of school.

Maxime Goléo is a rising star: he began his career in 2019 and he started teaching in 2023