If the origin of the lacquerer’s trade is unquestionably Asian, a European tradition strongly inspired by the Chinese traditions exists and endures for 3 centuries.

It is within this range that the French lacquer, of which the leader Jean Dunant initiated a purely French style during the ART DECO period, evolves and renews itself today.

Thus, Isabelle Emmerique preposes to revisit the art of lacquer: in keeping with the traditional preparations (finish with Meudon white on wood, pigment-based colours in powder, varnish polished by hand), which show a real know-how, she seeks to liberate herself from the weight of tradition by investing in the domains of contemporary creation: her favourite themes are travels, inexhaustible source of inspiration, and then she often associates in her work with the greats of creation: the glassblower Jean-Pierre Baquère, the silversmith Roland Daraspe, the sculptor Frank Massé… From rare objects to the monumental installation, Isabelle Emmerique shows that the lacquer can regain its place in the decorative universe in the domain of contemporary architecture (intervention in the luxury hotel business) as well as in the luxury universe for the Parfums Caron for example.

References :

These works are visible: TONY ROCFORT gallery in Rennes and at la Baule, at the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers (Conservatory of Arts and Trades), in the Nikko hotel at the Osaka airport in Japan…

In 2005, she received the grand prize of the Ishikawa lacquer triennial: this distinction has never been attributed to a western lacquer, it recognizes for the first time in Japan, that European lacquer is equal to Japanese lacquer.

In 2006, she made 27 one-of-a-kind works for “THE FIVE HOTEL” (3 stars in Paris) in collaboration with the architect Vincent Bastie (the MURANO, the EIFFEL SEINE…)
By this work, Isabelle Emmerique gets back in touch with the great tradition of interior designers-decorators of the last century.

In 2007, her work points toward lacquer sculpture in supple and undulating volumes to be seen soon in Paris.