We first stumbled across Daphné's work a few months back, while researching artists who were embracing upcycling by doing amazing things with unwanted items from bicycle chains to weapons, and in Daphné's case, tin cans. We fell in love with Daphné's adorable robots and animal figurines, but what we loved most about her work is the way she gives new life, and a new face, to unwanted items. We asked Daphné if she would mind answering a few questions about her work, and were honoured when she said yes.
Who or what first sparked your interest in art?
The incredible imagination and unique artistic approaches seen in the work of Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp naturally inspired me. But beyond this, my passion for antiques generally and more particularly for toys of the 50-60s, which greatly influenced my creative approach.
Any toys in particular?
Yes, the Atomic Robot Man, Mego Man (a 1950s tin battery-operated robot), Rover the Spacedog, and Robot Lilliput.
Do you remember the first piece of art you ever created, and if so, what was it?
Yes of course, the first Robot I created is Ouator Robot. I began by creating robots; my animal figurines including cats and dogs arrived after.
Robot Ouator - Daphné's first figurine
You say that your figurines are about ‘giving new life to useless and abandoned objects’; are there any other stories or meanings behind your work?
To instigate surprise in people is the principal meaning of my work!
I want to “Make beautiful with the old" by taking forgotten objects which tend to disappear. I discover antiques and become curious about them and want to show how the objects can be useful again. Every object has its story and tells something – I want to bring the story of the used materials to life.
Can you tell me about where the ideas for your figurines stem from? I.e. do you begin with an abandoned object and think ‘what can I turn this into’? Or maybe you sometimes base them on people or animals you meet? Or do your ideas come from things you see in your day-to-day life?
My ideas result from my discoveries made during my finds in attic sales; odds and ends and secondhand trades. My imagination develops around this item of lost property, very often a box in metal or a former(old) spinning top causes my brain to teem with ideas.
Do you have a favourite figurine? Why is it your favourite?
I don’t especially have a favourite sculpture but if I had to make a choice, it would be Zymatine Dog for the diversity of materials used (lever of sewing machine, rubber patch, syringe old tin ...) and for the humorous attitude of the dog’s character.
Zymatine Dog
Can you tell us about any ideas or plans you have for future figurines or projects?
My future plan is to develop my visibility, to make my work known to new admirers and to live from my passion!
Thank you again to Daphné - we wish you all the best for the future and can't wait to see what projects that future holds. If you thinks Daphné's work is as fantastic as we do, you can see all of her figurines on her website, and you should probably give her Facebook page a like too :)
Image credits: Atomic Robot Man, Mego Man, Rover the Space Dog, Robot Lilliput
