This turned-wood sculpture was made for an exhibition of funeral urns. Once the wood had been turned, it was sculpted and then coloured with paint and crayons. The design of the urn recalls the shape of natural shells, inspired by their prehistoric presence on earth – a living house, a paradox for a funeral urn.

Diameter 28 cm
Height 57 cm

Among the many natural forms that inspire Alain’s works are those of microplankton and other microscopic organisms that are invisible to the naked eye. The acrylic-painted and pencil-coloured emerald sculpture at the centre of this turned-wood piece is just such a form, with “white wings” swirling around it.

Diameter 52 cm
Height 22 cm

Tentacle-like branches emerge from and rise up to surround a central turned-wood structure. Is it a tree or an aquatic animal? Plant, animal, mineral seem to merge in this one sculpture. Alain likes to explore this vagueness between the natural elements that reign above and below water.

Diameter 13 cm
Height 39 cm

This turned-wood sculpture was inspired by the 10th-century Viking ships displayed in the Drakkar museum in Oslo. Fifteen centrally connected boat-like tentacles are carved out of a single piece of cherry wood. The rough texture of the acrylic-painted interiors of the boats and their curved figureheads contrasts with the polished exteriors.

Diameter 44 cm
Height 23 cm

This sculpture is carved out of a piece of turned black locust wood using traditional tools. The delicate detail of the trees inspired the name “Archipelago” – a group of imaginary islands all connected by branches.

Diameter 31 cm
Height 12 cm