In 2020, I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s, a progressive condition linked to declining dopamine levels, affecting movement and motivation. My neurologist told me I might have five good able-bodied years ahead of me. I was upset. I was angry. I was anxious. I was depressed. But I was determined not to let it get me. I was young. I had a family, a career, a life, plans.
Atelier Steaven Richard has become famous for its artistic metalwork. Prestigious designs include a bespoke metal floor for the studio of Karl Lagerfeld, the elevator doors for the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, and a ‘Steaven Richard’ limited edition bottle for Remy Martin.
Talking to Strangers in France: Anna says: "Engaging with people is of huge interest to me. My late husband always said of me: "Anna collects people.”
Podcast: This spring Mike Axinn and I went to Paris to see how artisans are able to practice their craft in a vibrant, urban setting. We wanted to discover more about the relevance of traditional skills in a world of 21st-century technologies.
If you love the tiny Parisian shops that make up the mosaic that is Paris read my interview with Paris based creative Sonja Bajic
Michael Cartwright likes drawing, painting, printmaking, working with beautiful red hardwoods and carving marble. He also works with found objects and discarded items, ‘old toys, bits of stick, anything’, and takes them to the local art foundry to get them cast in bronze. Once, he ripped the back off an old truck and used the metal to make a sculpture.
Emmanuel Fillion: Born in Soissons, France, he went to trade school at the age of 16 to learn how to renovate historical monuments by hand, specialising in granite.
Sculptor Nicolas Bertoux, originally from Paris, now living in Tuscany is being interviewed by Materially Speaking's Sarah Monk #2
Rebuilding of Notre Dame: The eyes of the world are watching, but Materially Speaking has a story for our ears - the story of its sound.
Join NZ-based writer & pilgrim Jennifer Andrewes living with early-onset Parkinson’s, as she walks 2,500km (Canterbury to Rome) on the historic Via Francigena route (England, France, Switzerland, and Italy in 110 days - July to October 2024)
Come with us to experience French life beyond the cliché.
Magazine – Events – Experiences
Wherever you live, if you’re a francophile or French and you’d like to join our team of Contributors then we’d love to hear from you – check out our submissions page. We’re also constantly seeking savvy interns – please check on available internships
