Jean-Christophe Belaud

He had done things in order and followed the "classical" path to become a painter, unlike others on whom the profession of artist came to them thanks to the providence or the imagination of life. Jean-Christophe Belaud is not an autodidact, he has always wanted to be an artist. He graduated in visual arts at the University of Saint-Etienne, France and began to live from his painting in 2006.

It was in 2009 that the big turning point took place. From that moment, he doesn't know it yet but he will become a carpet sculptor, an artist with a unique, innovative and admired technique!

We are in May, on Sunday and it's raining. Jean-Christophe has just moved to Brussels, he is bored and is falling on a piece of carpet which he brought back from his old Parisian apartment. A funny idea crossed his mind, that of making a warrior mask with this piece of carpet. A box cutter, a stapler, some glue and his childhood dream comes true. He also comes of figuring out how to add volume to his works.

Since then, Jean-Christophe has not stopped developing and refining his technique. He starts from a wooden base or just a metal foot and builds the structure from the inside to the outside, without ever making any preliminary sketches and never really knowing where he is going to. Between the influence of primitive arts, sacred geometry and science fiction, Jean-Christophe has built a singular universe, mastering unique technique with original material. No wonder his work is featured in TV shows, high-end design magazines and is regularly featured in the press.

In addition to originality and technical virtuosity, we look at elements that speak to us, which we understand. Jean-Christophe likes to mix symbols we all know, hearts, stars, hands, etc. The proportions are harmoniously respected according to the golden ratio and the carpet, poor material, brings us back to a familiar proximity between the subject and us.

Therein lies all his talent, knowing how to combine innovation, harmony and simplicity.