In this section :
Thierry Laudren, the sculptor who gives furniture presence
We met Thierry Laudren in January 2026 at the Maison & Objet trade fair in Paris. He’s a man of few words, preferring to let his pieces speak for themselves. Amidst the fair’s relentless bustle, his furniture commands a slower, more contemplative rhythm. A trained sculptor who’s been based in Rennes for nearly thirty years, he creates furniture that exists equally as functional object and standalone sculpture. Solid oak, bold volumes, layered artistic references: his work stands apart from fleeting trends. Between contemporary creation and heritage restoration, Thierry Laudren has built a rich, multilayered universe—one nourished by gesture, drawing and an intimate relationship with his materials.
From mastered techniques to the choice of independence
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Wood carving forms the bedrock of Thierry Laudren’s practice. Trained over several years, notably at the prestigious École Boulle, he acquired precise knowledge of technique, tools and material constraints from an early age. This technical rigour then informed his first professional experiences in Paris as a model maker and decorator. As he approached thirty, a decision crystallised: to devote himself entirely to creating sculpted objects.
The Rennes workshop was established in 1996. From that point onwards, he developed his own distinctive body of work—conceived outside industrial frameworks, built on complete in-house production and continuous formal exploration. The choice to work alone determines the pace, quantity and character of the pieces produced, but guarantees total freedom in aesthetic choices and manufacturing processes.
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Furniture sculptures: function meeting presence
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Coffee tables, console tables, screens, wall sculptures: Thierry Laudren’s pieces share the same exacting formal requirements. Each object fulfils a specific function whilst asserting a strong sculptural dimension. Wood—primarily oak—occupies centre stage. Dense and demanding, it imposes a direct relationship with both the effort required and the duration of the work.
The design process always begins with drawing: instinctive forms, graphic exploration and series of sketches that gradually shape the final object. Some collections span several years, with regular returns to ideas left unresolved. References circulate freely: 1950s design, modern sculpture, art brut. Gaston Chaissac, Charlotte Perriand and close observation of the natural world all feed into these creations, without ever confining them to a single aesthetic.
Maison & Objet: showcase and meeting ground
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
The Maison & Objet trade fair in Parisrepresents a pivotal moment in Thierry Laudren’s calendar. He presents his collections there, introduces his pieces to an international audience, and engages in direct dialogue with gallery owners, interior designers and tastemakers. This visibility allows the furniture to find homes in diverse contexts: hotels, restaurants, executive offices and private collections.
Production remains deliberately limited—an inevitable consequence of solo craftsmanship. A significant proportion of pieces are sold abroad, confirming the resonance of this formal language beyond French borders. Bespoke commissions extend his creative universe: dimensions, functions and constraints are adapted, whilst respecting the lines, volumes and relationship with wood that define his practice.
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Restoration: conversing with sculptors of centuries past
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
Alongside his contemporary creations, Thierry Laudren regularly restores sculptures from Brittany’s religious heritage. He works on the roof structures of listed churches, often dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Each project demands careful observation of ancient works, documentary research and close collaboration with architects and carpenters.
Recreating a missing piece, completing a frieze or restoring a damaged element requires understanding the original sculptors’ approach: their choices, their pace and, occasionally, their imperfections. This immersion fosters a direct connection with the history of the craft. The animals, figures and scenes observed in these ancient decorations sometimes find subtle echoes in his own creations, enriching a universe already marked by eclecticism.
An evolving body of work, constantly in motion
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
When asked about the future, Thierry Laudren prefers to remain circumspect, gesturing towards a range of possibilities still under consideration.
“I always have lots of projects, but I haven’t settled on a direction yet. I’m currently presenting my collection, and afterwards I’ll have new ideas and new projects that I’ll try to bring to fruition.”
The sculptor emphasises the distance between conception and realisation.
“The journey from idea to finished piece takes considerable time—between the drawing, the prototypes, and everything else. It doesn’t just happen overnight!”
In his Rennes studio, this research phase takes centre stage. Drawings accumulate, some ideas remain unresolved, others slowly evolve into finished objects. Working alone encourages sustained concentration, without externally imposed deadlines. At Maison & Objet in January 2026, his pieces revealed this state of perpetual evolution—each creation extending an ongoing dialogue with form, material and meaning.
- Thierry Laudren
- Thierry Laudren 15 Boulevard Franklin Roosevelt 35000 Rennes
- https://thierrylaudren.com/
Thierry Laudren at the Maison et Objet trade fair – January 2026; WeAreKollectors
