A dental technician who fulfills her dream and uses her special dexterity to become a jewelry designer and artist with a shipping container studio instead of shaping dentures day in, day out. This could be the stuff of an arthouse film that is as heartfelt as it is kitschy. But it is actually – in a very abridged form, of course – the life story of Valérie Tisserand.
Her story: The French woman came to Germany years ago for love. She raised four children together with her husband. And if you like, one of these children is also responsible for Valérie ending up with her studio at Werksviertel. “I was taking my daughter to a soccer match and came across the colorful shipping containers at Werksviertel. I knew immediately: that’s where I want to go.” She seized the opportunity, asked if she could set up her studio in one of the containers and was accepted. Thus began her life as an artist, something that had probably always been in her. Her parents worked in skilled trades and she herself unconsciously acquired many skills through working with dental ceramics, from which she now benefits as an artist. The concentration, the precision, the handling of color, the shaping.
In her container, she offers homemade jewelry, various bronze sculptures and some of her paintings. She mainly paints with oil. “I work slowly. I need distance in the creation process,” says Valérie. She therefore doesn’t like painting with acrylic paints, which would require a different speed from her. However, Valérie doesn’t just see herself as an artist who lives in her own world. She is also a service provider. For example, she remakes or adapts her customers’ old jewelry according to their ideas. Or she designs a completely individual piece of jewelry for her customers. “We sit down together, I ask the customers what they have in mind and then I draw up my ideas, which we then develop further together. I like this personal contact with people.”
In addition to the human aspect, her work also has an ethical component. The stones Valérie uses are mostly produced fairly, i.e. without child labor. “Unfortunately, fair stones are still hard to come by.” The metal she works with, whether gold, silver or bronze, is recycled. “It either comes from certified wholesalers or from old jewelry.” In life, it’s not just about what you do, but also how you do it. “I generally try not to think commercially or in terms of a brand. I think when that happens, the heart gets lost. And people feel that.” She is also grateful for the support of the Curt Wills Foundation. Together with the foundation, Valérie organizes exhibitions in her studio with other artists that the foundation also supports. Recently, for example, on the subject of flower wreaths. While some artists interpreted the theme classically, Valérie contributed forged flowers which, despite their metallic style, can sway delicately in the wind. Beautiful.
One piece that Valérie is particularly proud of is a bronze sculpture that she was allowed to make for Jane Goodall. The behavioral scientist, who became world-famous for her work on chimpanzees, was awarded the Prix International pour Les Enfants by the Otto Eckart Foundation in May 2022 at Werksviertel, which is endowed with 10,000 euros. In addition to the prize money, the British activist was also presented with a sculpture designed by Valérie Tisserand, which shows Goodall with a chimpanzee. “I found the task so exciting and so inspiring, I had to make a second cast for myself.” And as she says this and looks at the sculpture, in which the researcher and the chimpanzee are turned towards each other in solidarity, you can guess what Valérie meant when she said that she does things above all with her heart.
What is your favorite place in the city? I can’t think of a specific place, but I can’t help but think of my home city of Paris when I’m asked this question. I love and miss the atmosphere there. No matter which place. Here in Munich, I like my studio, my creative home.
What do you like most about your city? This special energy that can arise in places when the right people come together.
What don’t you like so much about your city? I sometimes find it difficult to commute between cultures. I’m now not really at home in either Munich or Paris. I’m always a stranger somewhere.
What time do you prefer to be out and about in your city? Best in the morning or mid-morning.
