Lucie Gholam - Stool - Hempcrete and fresco finish - Legs 1

Legs 1, 2024
56 x 30 x 29.5 cm
Hemp, limestone, steel and apricot pink fresco finish.

The Legs series of stools, created by the emerging french-lebanese designer Lucie Gholam, blends ancient craftsmanship with contemporary design and a focus on sustainability. Leg 1 is crafted from hempcrete, a natural and environmentally friendly material, and finished with a fresco technique—a method rooted in ancient history where pigments are applied to wet plaster, resulting in a richly textured surface.

In this work, Lucie Gholam is deeply committed to using natural materials and reviving traditional building techniques, driven by a dual concern for ecology and the transmission of history. The objects are created not only to be functional but also to convey a sense of time and cultural memory, bridging the past with the present.

A key aspect of the artist's approach is the concept of material empathy—a sensitivity to how materials interact with people and their surroundings. The stools invite touch and exploration, offering a tactile experience that engages the senses. The designs often have an uncanny quality, drawing inspiration from ruins and archaeological artifacts, evoking the mystery and texture of forgotten histories.

In the Legs series, each stool takes on the form of a small creature, appearing as though it's poised to move on its own legs. Lucie Gholam’s work stand out as a dialogue between history, sustainability, and contemporary art.