Jean-Marc Laroche, artiste sculpteur

With Philippe Druillet

I remember when I was about 15 years old, a buddy introduced me to some Philippe Druillet plates in Pilote magazine and this graphic explosion was a real shock and fascination for me. A pioneer of Science Fiction and comic books, Druillet inspired many, including George Lucas for his Star Wars saga. He was one of the three founders of Métal Hurlant, the original French version of the “Heavy Metal Chronicles”, and it is thanks to him that the comic book is today part of the art market.

In 1992, I knocked on the master’s door and he welcomed me warmly, and proposed that I make a knife: “The Druillet Blade” (“La Lame Druillet“) in 12 copies, all of which sold quickly. Some time later we did it again with the Shaman, an edition limited to 5 copies due the blade’s complexity. In the meantime we produced a single copy of the Hourglass (“Sablier“) for Jacques Attali. Years passed and in 2011 I produced these two knives again. The handles are now in bronze and the blades in Damascus steel. The collaboration has continued until today because I am currently working on a new knife ” The Samurai ” which will be magnificent with its silver finish. It is a privilege to be able to work with Philippe Druillet, and it gives me great pleasure to translate into three dimensions his creations that I have so admired since my childhood.