Anne-Sophie Gruwez Textile Sculptor: Interviewed by Natacha Fazal-Karim
- Lifestyle
I am delighted to share a conversation with French textile sculptor Anne-Sophie Gruwez. I have always celebrated art, luxury, and authentic experiences; and Anne-Sophie’s self-taught journey and intuitive approach to art, blending leather and ceramic plaster, embody the energy and soul that define One Belvedere Tuscany. Surrounded by our vineyards and the tranquility of the Tuscan countryside, her sculptures feel at home, resonating with the estate’s timeless beauty. In this interview, I explore with Anne-Sophie the inspirations, materials, and intuitive process that shape her captivating textile sculptures.
Q1: Your work is striking, full of energy and life. To begin, could you share how your journey as an artist started and when?
Anne-Sophie:
I have been a self-taught artist since 2012, although my first artistic exploration was between 2005 and 2008. I come from a background in business consulting, which feels very distant from where I am now. At some point, I realized that devoting myself to an artistic activity was vital. It was a conscious decision to focus fully on art.
Q2: For readers who may be new to textile sculpture, how would you describe it?
Anne-Sophie:
Textile sculpture combines traditional craft with artistic expression. It uses materials such as leather, fabric, and ceramic plaster. Each piece is handcrafted and unique.
Q3: You’re known for your textile sculptures. Was this a conscious choice from the beginning?
Anne-Sophie:
Actually, no. It happened by chance. I was always attracted by leather objects like bags, belts, purses and somewhere along the way, that attraction guided my materials. Only later did I realize I was doing textile art. My work evolved intuitively rather than through a deliberate plan.
Q4: Your sculptures are so distinctive. How would you describe your signature style or aesthetic?
Anne-Sophie:
Honestly, I don’t know if I have a defined signature style. What guides me is energy, and the objects themselves should carry a positive resonance. I focus on creating pieces that transmit joy, peace, and harmony. Whether it’s a wall sculpture, a hanging textile piece, or a totem, the goal is always to inspire good energy.
Q5: That sense of energy is palpable in your pieces. What themes or concepts do you explore most in your work?
Anne-Sophie:
I am drawn to the energetic dimension of objects. Tribal ornaments, lucky charms, gris-gris—these all fascinate me. My sculptures often carry symbolic significance, and I love that they can guide or uplift the people who interact with them. Every object is a channel for positive emotion.
Q6: Looking back, do you feel your past career in business consulting influences your art in any way?
Anne-Sophie:
Surprisingly, yes. Consulting taught me discipline and problem-solving, which are useful when navigating complex materials and large-scale sculptures. But the creative process itself is intuitive, a different mindset entirely from business. That contrast enriches my work.
Q7: Can you explain the creative and technical processes involved in making such large textile sculptures like totems?
Anne-Sophie:
Yes, my totems can be up to four meters tall and involve a complex assembly of diverse materials: feathers, wood, shells, fabric, leather, hemp, seeds, raffia and each adds its own story and texture. The process requires careful balancing of form, color, and symbolism.
I develop unique assembly techniques to ensure structural stability while maintaining visual lightness. Each sculpture is like a living organism, evolving as materials interact and influence each other during construction. It is both physically demanding and deeply rewarding.
Q8: Are there pivotal moments or inspirations that shaped your approach?
Anne-Sophie:
I work very intuitively, and while I don’t identify any single moment as pivotal, there was one exhibition that left a deep impression. It featured religious objects, and among them was a collection of messages written on scraps of fabric to the Virgin Mary, hung on a panel. That moment stayed with me; the leather straps in my own work are, in a way, inspired by those messages, like personal notes sent to an invisible beyond
Q9: What role does color play in your sculptures?
Anne-Sophie:
Color is both intuitive and emotional. It’s a language that conveys energy. Whether muted earth tones or vivid contrasts, the palette is always chosen to evoke a specific feeling, to enhance the energetic presence of the piece.
Q10: Your work often incorporates cultural references. Can you expand on that?
Anne-Sophie:
I’m inspired by tribal art, lucky charms, religious symbols, and objects with cultural significance. I am fascinated by how objects carry energy and messages across time and culture. That resonance often informs the materials I choose and the forms I create.
Q11: What’s the most rewarding aspect of creating your sculptures?
Anne-Sophie:
Seeing how people respond to them. When a sculpture brings joy, peace, or inspiration to someone, I know the energy has been transmitted successfully. That’s the ultimate reward.
Q12: How did it feel to collaborate with One Belvedere Tuscany, and how do you see the synergy between your artistic vision and what we cultivate here?
Anne-Sophie:
Working with you and your team has been a delight. I feel that we share the same energy and a respect for authenticity, a focus on positive, soulful experiences. One Belvedere Tuscany is not just a luxury retreat; it’s a space where art and nature coexist harmoniously, and my sculptures feel that. They seem to breathe alongside the vineyards and olive groves here.
For those seeking luxury art that inspires and resonates, Anne-Sophie Gruwez’s work is a must-experience. Explore more of her art and follow her journey on Instagram @anne_sophie_gruwez