François and Sylvie Fresnais

France

Year(s) attended: 2007, 2008, 2009 (with Sylvie Fresnais), 2010, 2011

Ceramic

François Fresnais has applied his professional training in ceramics to the revival of a centuries-old tradition of pottery making in France. This tradition, through which potters have long worked to transcribe the daily life of the people, nearly disappeared after the Second World War. Having studied these ancient shapes and patterns, he set up a workshop in the region of Burgundy, which has a strong tradition in pottery. Working in partnership, François creates the forms and his wife, Sylvie, executes the decorations.  Aiming to keep the spirit of this tradition alive, they continue to be inspired and guided by other French and international slipware traditions.