Nathanaël Le Berre

Born in Burgundy, France in 1976, Nathanaël Le Berre studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Art in Dijon before earning a diploma in artistic metalwork from ENSAAMA/Olivier de Serres in 1999. Fascinated by the expressive potential of freehand metal shaping, he developed a sculptural language that fuses traditional craft with contemporary formal experimentation. Early training at renowned ateliers such as La Licorne and Ateliers Bataillard refined his sense of proportion and detail, while mentorship under Hervé Wahlen expanded his vision for the medium’s expressive possibilities.

Le Berre founded his own studio in 2005, first in Montreuil and later in a series of evolving spaces that supported the growth of his artistic vocabulary. Now based in Aubervilliers, he works primarily with sheet metal, shaped meticulously by hand using hammers, stakes, and anvils—a slow, physical process that requires both force and finesse. While grounded in centuries-old techniques, he also employs digital tools like 3D modeling to explore form and structure. Each work begins with a fluid drawing—often inspired by architectural rhythms or calligraphic lines—that is gradually brought to life through rhythmic hammering and precise adjustments.

The finished pieces are marked by a quiet intensity, poised between tension and fluidity, weight and lift. Surfaces are polished, burnished, or patinated to enhance their tactile richness and subtle tonal variations. Many of his forms carry sacred or symbolic resonance, reflecting his early exposure to religious art and iconography.

In 2019, Le Berre received the prestigious Liliane Bettencourt Prize for the Intelligence of the Hand for L’Infini—a testament to his ability to translate ancient techniques into works of profound formal clarity and emotional resonance.