Pauline Roy

Motif and bas-relief in glass

• Pauline engraves decorative objects, furniture and murals in sandblasted glass
• Drawing is the basis of her work
• Her native Aveyron region is the root of her inspiration

Before turning to glass engraving, Pauline Roy worked at the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet, where she was notably in charge of staging temporary exhibitions. It was when she discovered the porcelain works of Chinese artist Chu-Teh-Chun that she felt a true inspiration for craftsmanship. “The concept of contemporary work took on a new meaning for me," she explains. "I realised that the hands could be at the origin of such splendid pieces.” Since 2020, Pauline has devoted herself to the art of glass engraving, working on the design, drawing and sandblasting of her delicate creations. Initially self-taught, Pauline has since specialised in the sandblasting technique with master Gilles Chabrier. She has equally honed her skills in diamond-point engraving.

Interview

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©Eric Gizzard

Why did you choose to work with glass?

I feel a real magic in glass, an age-old material that was considered precious in ancient Egypt and is now an integral part of our everyday lives. Working with glass offers an infinite exploration of textures and possibilities. Initially transparent and translucent, it is a material in constant evolution thanks to the way light passes through it.

What attracted you to the sandblasting technique?

Sandblasting allows me to express my graphic creativity through glass. The material weakens under the high-pressure sand, contracts, tightens and then softens and curves. It becomes another material that feels soft to the touch. In my artistic approach, through my writing and my motifs, I try to capture perpetual movement.

Do you draw most of your inspiration from nature?

Japanese decorative arts and Nabis painting are inexhaustible sources of inspiration. Aside from this, yes, it is above all nature that inspires me. Through my creations, I want to pay homage to the environment and to the living world. The objects, furniture and murals I create are a manifesto for defending its beauty and fragility.

Is there anything specific about your working process that remains little known?

Sandblasting is a very physical job that requires a total investment of the body. I find fulfillment in the effort I put in and in surpassing myself. In these difficult working conditions, when I am wearing a suit and a full-face helmet into which compressed air is pumped so I can breathe, this is when I, paradoxically, craft delicate pieces.

Pauline Roy is a rising star: she began her career in 2020 and she started teaching in 2022

Works

©Thomas Deschamps

©THOMAS DESCHAMPS

©Thomas Dechamps

Where