Sandblasting as an art

Recently we talked about sandblasting as a method of structuring wood. It was about technology, industry, industrial ways of processing wood. It will still be about sandblasting, but about sandblasting as an art. I'm going to introduce you to a French artist who uses sandblasting to make beautiful objects out of lace wood.

Wooden lace

Pascal Oudet is a Frenchman who, thanks to his training as an engineer, manages to combine technique with art, resulting in objects of particular finesse and delicacy. Oudet began his journey into the world of art after completing his engineering studies. Inspired by the effects of nature on the texture of wood and stone, he began to seek solutions to reproduce these effects.

Oudet starts work on the lathe, where he does all the turning necessary to achieve the desired shape. Then, with the help of sandblasting, he removes the early wood resulting in a transparent material, like a tight lace. The material is like a history of the tree as the annual rings become very visible, like wrinkles on a senior's face.

The artist uses wood from the Grenoble area, where he lives and works. His works initially start as a clear project after which everything evolves, the object takes over the project, developing according to its own laws. Imagination drives the tools, resulting in a work of art of remarkable finesse.

Pascal says he found some of his inspiration in forests and rocks. Sun, rain and frost act on the surface of the wood, revealing its internal structure. He works with these characteristics, trying different surface treatments to reveal the character of the wood. He chooses very carefully the wood from which he creates very thin pieces which, by sandblasting, turn into lace.

His training as an engineer helps him use other technologies to complete his work. He uses the technique of burning wood or bleaching it by oxygenation. This produces special colours and textures. He also stains the wood to create works with personality, impressive wooden lace objects.

Pascal Oudet's work has been featured in exhibitions around the world. They are part of numerous private collections, but also of the collections of renowned museums such as Museum of Art and Design in New York.