FINDS: Frédérique Morrel

Some time ago I stumbled over an artist you might know already but if not you might find her as interesting as I did. Actually it is a couple who combine their creative juices and make something new from old in a unique way. The couple I am talking about is Frédérique Morrel and Aaron Levin.

Frédérique says about herself that she "was troubled by the fact that her grandmother's needlework was discarded when she passed." She became obsessed with the idea to bring these kinds of artefacts back to life in a completely new way. Aaron is more the guardian of the Morrel brand and on the lookout for unique tapestries which are then worked into new pieces of art such as the following.

What I found to be extremely charming are the life-sized deer sculptures (called "MY DEAR" by Morrell) in all kinds of colourful patterns but which carry antlers which ARE realistic.

These sculptures start with a fiberglass taxidermy mold, injected with expanding foam. Pieces that are molded separately are assembled and reinforced with steel rods. Realistic details such as hoofs, ears, muzzle, teeth and tongue are finished with resin or latex and airbrushed. Real antlers are fixed to the head. The mold is then completely covered with vintage tapestries (from their website).

Smaller sculptures are these "trophy heads" which of course are really charming in contrast to those abominable real hunting trophies which I could never tolerate:



But there is more that this creative couple creates, "artifacts are their personal answer to re-enchant the world, using their special ingredients: materials that tell stories of simple, ideal happiness".

If you want to see more of these works and learn more about this creative couple from France you should check out the website of Frédérique Morell.

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