Paul Fouillen (1899 - 1958)

Born in Lorient in 1899, Paul Fouillen spent his childhood in Pontivy after the death of his father. Passionate about drawing and music, he interrupted his studies to work before joining the École des Beaux-Arts in Rennes in 1918, a period of his life for which there is little documentation.

Paul Fouillen joined the Henriot earthenware factory in 1923, where he quickly developed a unique style, characterized by geometric motifs and bright colors inspired by Art Deco and Breton iconography. His work gradually moved away from traditional models to explore new decorative forms and techniques.

In the 1930s, he opened his own workshop and asserted his artistic identity. His pieces, often sculptural and rich in Breton symbols, combine earthenware, paint and sometimes carved wood. He also experimented with innovative glazes and textures, which set him apart from the more classical Quimper productions.

His creations, at the crossroads of folklore and modernity, bear witness to the artistic soul of 20th-century Brittany, making him a key ceramist of his time. Today, his work is sought after by collectors.