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Manuela Paul Cavallier

  • Gilder
  • Saint Jorioz, France
  • Master Artisan
Manuela Paul Cavallier Gilder
Contact
French, English, Italian
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+33 660681013
©Florent Pedrini

A golden art of silence, meditation and music

  • • The play of light is central to Manuela's works of art
  • • Through her hands she shapes emotions
  • • She uses gilding as a way of adding movement

Manuela Paul Cavallier’s art is inspired by emotion. She spent time in Florence where she studied ancient techniques and also learnt the refined nuances of natural pigments, she was overwhelmed by the images there. But she is also inspired by Japanese paintings and their strength of identity. The result is works that merge an unusual combination of craftsmanship: art and gilding. Manuela uses gold to make the light and shadow dance – it is brought to life almost like poetry, or singing with hands. Light and dark are in apparent contrast but they conceal a balance between the power of light and the unfathomable darkness. Using ancient methods of restoration, the stages of light give pride of place to the material, effortlessly holding the gaze of the viewer and drawing their emotion out.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Florent Pedrini
  • ©Florent Pedrini
  • ©Cecile Guyenne
  • ©NS
  • ©NS
Photo: ©Florent Pedrini
Les invisibles

The wall piece, handcrafted with black pigments and contrasting 22k gold leaf, is a tribute to the invisible hands that have worked for centuries at the Grand Hotel-Dieu in Lyon. Light makes the hues of golds and blacks vibrate at all hours of the day and night. The piece was commissioned by Parisian designer Jean Philippe Nuel.

Height 410 cm
Width 210 cm

Photo: ©Florent Pedrini
Traversée de Lumière

This wall piece consists of contrasting black pigments and 22k gold leaf, drawing on the rhythm of the weaving looms of Lyon. This golden light, commissioned by designer Jean Philippe Nuel, was made for the Grand Hotel-Dieu.

Height 170 cm
Width 300 cm

Photo: ©Cecile Guyenne
888

This ancient piece of French oak, meticulously adorned with yellow gold leaf, is a symphonic vibration of light, a sensual dialogue between shards of gold and natural cracks in wood. Old wood dances with ancestral gilding for a contemporary play of light and shadow.

Height 34 cm
Width 94 cm

Photo: ©NS
MPC-Resonance

This wall piece contrasts blue pigments and yellow gold leaf. The three-dimensional poetic object is inspired by Zéno Bianu's Ritual of Amplification of the World.

Height 50 cm
Width 50 cm

Photo: ©NS
MPC-Resonance 3/3

This wall piece contrasts blue pigments and yellow gold leaf. The three-dimensional poetic object is inspired by Zéno Bianu's Ritual of Amplification of the World.

Height 50 cm
Width 50 cm

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