Marc Ricourt draws his inspiration from the ancient utilitarian object of the vessel. He comments that, ‘I’ve based my work around a simple but very essential object, as it was the first tool created and used by mankind… My work on vessels has allowed me to develop a relationship between ancient or geographically remote cultures and civilisations and modern creations. The most important facet of my work is the research and exploration of new forms, colours, textures and finishes.’

Marc sources the wood he uses from his local landscape in Dijon, France. He initially turns on a traditional lathe and then intricately carves and treats the surfaces through bleaching, dying or an application of ferrous oxide, to explore the vessel through organic shapes that often recall seedpods and the undulating edges of leaves, carved as delicate linear fins. Historically, Marc has worked with green wood and followed the grain of the timber to achieve the perfect form. Recently, however, he has been experimenting with dried out firewood taken from the heart of the tree, to create highly textured rugged surfaces that heighten the sculptural aspect of his work.

Marc has exhibited extensively in the UK and internationally. His work is placed in significant private and public collections, including Musée des Pays de L'Ain, France; the Wood Turning Center, UK; The Center for Art in Wood, USA;and the ASU Art Museum, Tempe, USA. He has been shortlisted for the Loewe Craft Prize 2020.