Andrée utilizes wax, bronze, and porcelain to capture the ephemeral beauty of the natural world. She views these materials not just as mediums, but as collaborators in the preservation of form.
Wax.
For Andrée, wax is the responsive point of departure for each Archive Reference. She utilizes the material to melt, build, file, and sand delicate intricacies with master-level precision. This malleability supports an iterative process where the initial sensation of discovery is translated into a physical sketch. It is within the wax that the essence of a natural form is first captured before it begins its transformation into a permanent Work.
Bronze.
André cherishes bronze for its history and its inherent sense of permanence. Spanning over 5,000 years, this lineage connects her practice to an enduring tradition of craftsmanship and artistry. When a form demands a solid and eternal design, she utilizes the lost wax method to transition the model into this enduring metal. The strength of bronze allows her to maintain structural integrity even in the most delicate leaf forms. The application of a green patina symbolizes maturity, growth, and the resilience that comes from lived experience.
Porcelain.
Porcelain is chosen for her smaller sculptural Works to enhance their refined and minimal qualities. The material’s translucency and fine texture elevate the forms: giving them an elegance that mirrors the fragility of the forest. The firing process represents a final evolution. It moves the Work from a malleable state to a polished and enduring record of nature. In porcelain, her sculptures no longer exist as individual fragments but instead come together as harmonious elements of a larger Narrative.
