A multidisciplinary and autodidactic artist, tourain creates imaginative, daring, and sophisticated works of functional sculpture. His work has a uniquely tangible quality, inviting us to experience something thrilling and ineffable through the interplay of materials, shapes, textures, and patinas. Working in a process that seeks liberation and possibility through sketching, questioning, and conversation, tourain’s philosophy is driven by three central tenets: first-class craftsmanship, the Use of the purest materials, and A profound respect for every characteristic of those materials. The result is handmade art objects that tell individual stories, Following the flow of creativity and nature, and celebrating idiosyncrasies and imperfections
Working primarily in hand-cast brass, tourain draws inspiration from the natural elements and the landscape that surrounds his studio in Belgium. He often combines brass with other pure materials such as wood, natural stone, or glass — Whatever the combination, nature’s forms and abstractions express themselves through the work. Across Different shapes, textures, and hues, tourain’s signature is always clear: bold, functional sculptures that add character and allure to any space. Moreover, his works engender a thrilling dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and cutting edge design, between art and architecture, between the raw and the refined
Tourain founded his eponymous multidisciplinary atelier with Julie Desmidt after years of experience in high-end residential and commercial projects. always seeking exceptional materials to create unique functional art pieces, Tourain handcrafts limited edition collections and and one-of-a-kind works
STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN
Details
Tondel
A striking exploration of nature’s resilience and transformation, Tourain’s Tondel Lights draws inspiration from the fungi native to Damme, the fabled Flemish town known for its bucolic landscape and literary tradition. By reimagining these natural elements as luminous objects, Tourain invites reflection on the coexistence of light and darkness and on the moments when we are confronted with the fragility of our existence
The miracle of light transforms that fragility into strength. The fungi, often seen as a sign of a tree’s demise, are elevated to symbols of resilience and continuity. The luminous quality of these works reveals a powerful visual and philosophical contrast: that light can only emerge from the darkness
The artistic process behind the Tondel lights reflects Tourain’s deep engagement with the natural environment and a commitment to preserving its essence in a new form. The careful casting of real fungal elements and the thoughtful assembly on brass branches highlight his dedication to capturing the authentic beauty and complexity of these organisms, while his mastery of brass lends a sense of timelessness, juxtaposing the ephemeral nature of decay with enduring craftsmanship
With each light, Tourain’s meditates nature’s cycle of decomposition and rebirth, transforming it into enduring works of art, turning symbols of decay into objects of beauty and reflection. Exclusive to Studiotwentyseven, each light is handcrafted in Belgium, in one-of-a-kind, and is signed by Tourain
Tondel 02 is on view at Studiotwentyseven New York Gallery
STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN USE OF COOKIES AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
WE USE COOKIES ON OUR WEBSITE. OUR COOKIES ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE OPERATION OF THE WEBSITE, MONITORING SITE PERFORMANCE AND TO DELIVER MARKETING MESSAGES THAT ARE MORE RELEVANT TO YOUR INTERESTS. WE WOULD LIKE YOUR CONSENT TO USE COOKIES FOR ANALYTICS AND FUNCTIONALITY PURPOSES. EXCEPT FOR ESSENTIAL COOKIES, WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE OUR WEBSITE WORK, WE WILL NOT DEPLOY ANY COOKIES UNLESS WE HAVE OBTAINED YOUR CONSENT. PLEASE SELECT WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT YOU CONSENT TO USE OF COOKIES ON OUR WEBSITE
BY CLICKING ON THE BUTTON YES, I ACCEPT YOU CONSENT TO THE USE OF ALL OF OUR COOKIES