The Polish artist NeSpoon has created the largest mural of her career to date in Valence, in the south of France. A lace pattern inspired by local handicrafts has been painted on 10 façades of Maison Pic, the historic home of the famous Pic family of chefs, which has been in operation since 1889.
The lace mural at Maison Pic
The project was carried out in May and June this year at the invitation of Anne-Sophie Pic, an outstanding French chef whose restaurants have earned a total of 10 Michelin stars. The mural adorns Maison Pic, a venue steeped in the history of the family’s culinary tradition since the late 19th century. The restaurant has featured in the Michelin Guide since 1933, and in 1939 Anne-Sophie Pic’s grandfather earned three stars for it, which the family has retained to this day.
1,000 square metres of French lace
The NeSpoon mural covers an area of approximately 1,000 square metres and stretches across three sides of the entire block. The artist created a pattern that flows across 10 façades, leaving some sections of the black and burgundy walls visible, whilst maintaining the rhythm of the irregular architecture. A project of this scale was a challenge even at the design stage, but the result is impressive and fully lives up to the building owner’s vision.
NeSpoon has adorned Maison Pic in France
The mural was inspired by a fragment of lace made in the late 19th century in Craponne-sur-Arzon. The original piece has survived to this day and can be viewed at the museum in Retournac. NeSpoon has translated this local craft onto a grand scale, creating a decoration that references the history of the region and the Pic family. Lace has been the central motif of her work for years. The artist regards it as a universal symbol of beauty, present in various cultures and reminiscent of natural forms such as flowers, snowflakes or organic patterns.
NeSpoon – the Polish urban lace artist
NeSpoon began working in public spaces in 2009. Her murals and installations can be seen in over 100 cities and 40 countries across five continents. She creates large-scale paintings, ceramic objects, fabric installations and small pieces described as ‘urban jewellery’. Her style is based on a fusion of street art and traditional craftsmanship. The artist’s work has been exhibited at venues including the Louvre-Lens, Expo 2020 in Dubai and the European Parliament in Brussels. NeSpoon has given the crown a new role, transferring this traditional handicraft motif onto the walls of contemporary cities.
source: NeSpoon (www.nespoon.art)
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