I create works in straw marquetry, a meticulous art form that transforms rye straw into luminous, reflective surfaces. Through this medium, I explore how light interacts with material: how it shifts, reveals, and animates form.

Light as Material

Straw is a living material. Its natural sheen catches light in subtle, ever-changing ways. Each piece plays with reflection and rhythm, where geometry or stylized forms emerge through light itself.

The Discipline of Making

I work exclusively with rye straw grown in Burgundy, France, prized for its exceptional quality and luminous sheen.

Working with straw requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the material’s natural properties. Each piece begins with the careful selection and preparation of individual straws, which are split to be flattened, then cut and positioned one by one to build the composition.

This slow, exacting process demands refined technical skill and time, allowing the material’s inherent qualities to fully reveal themselves.

Craftsmanship and Expression

My practice engages with the techniques of straw marquetry as a means of artistic expression. Whether abstract or inspired by nature, each composition seeks a balance between precision and vibration, order and emotion.

The Living Surface

Straw marquetry is never static; the surface transforms with changing light, revealing subtle patterns and depths. Its radiance cannot be fully captured in photographs. It must be seen in person, where light and texture come alive before the viewer’s eyes.

Through my work, I hope to share the quiet wonder I find in this craft, inviting viewers to discover the extraordinary beauty that emerges when simple materials are transformed through patience, skill, and artistic vision.

— Cecile Ancelin, 2024