Camille Tan is a designer and sculptor working between functional objects and sculptural forms. His practice is deeply influenced by his relationship with climbing and nature. In our conversation with Camille we go through his exploration of balance, gravity, and natural forces.

Repose: How would you describe what you do?

Camille: Today I’m somewhere between design and sculpture. I spent ten years in contemporary art, but now I mainly make a living from design, even though the sculptural dimension remains essential. I create furniture, mobiles and hanging pieces. I started 15 years ago around the forces and balances of our environment. I’ve been passionate about climbing for almost twenty years: that relationship between body, rock, and balance directly influences my practice. I collect stones from the places where I climb, shaped by water, and they become the initial weight of my mobiles. In my furniture, the fluid, organic forms echo the action of water on rock or wood.

Repose: How did the idea for the project begin?

Camille: I was living in Rennes, where I studied at the Beaux-Arts. After ten years in contemporary art, I moved to Brussels with the goal of building my studio. I stopped producing for four years to renovate a space. And while building that interior, I rediscovered the pleasure of making, arranging, giving functionality to objects. Design came back naturally. Then the mobiles appeared later, almost as a kind of revenge on climbing: controlling the stone, whereas when climbing it’s the stone that controls me.

Repose: In the beginning, did you find it difficult to communicate your work?

Camille: Not really. I started very early with residencies and a gallery. In Brussels, connections happened quickly. I work a lot, and I think that when you invest yourself fully, things always end up working. Today I have my studio, an exhibition space right across from it, my website, Instagram, and a gallery that represents me internationally.

Repose: Do you feel that the public understands the concept/value behind it?

Camille: Not always. I’d like to have more videos, maybe a documentary that explores my practice. But more and more people come to take photos, ask questions… it’s getting there.

Repose: Now that your project is real and up and running, do you think it still embodies the essence of the original idea?

Camille: Yes. I stay true to my aesthetic and my core questions, which come from daily life, from my philosophy, from climbing. The materials evolve, but the essence remains.

Repose: What excites you the most in your project?

Camille: I have projects I haven’t realized yet that motivate me enormously. And above all, everything I produce goes straight to the gallery: there’s always demand, the cycle never stops.

Repose: How do you find inspiration for new pieces?

Camille: I never run out. What I’d like most is more time. I have crazy projects for the future. natural materials or materials already transformed by nature. All the wood I use is reclaimed. I go to the Brussels flea market every day: I buy things, dismantle them, recover metal, stones, objects… just like I do in nature.

Repose: Do you have artistic influences?

Camille: Of course. I will say Noguchi and Brancusi. But my biggest influence will always be nature.

Repose: What is a typical day like for you?

Camille: Morning: admin, emails, Instagram posts. Then I go to the flea market to look for materials. At the studio: I observe them, compose mobiles, sculpt, and switch from one activity to another depending on physical fatigue. In the evening, if I have energy left, I go climbing. I work 10–12 hours a day but I barely notice, it’s passion.

Repose: What advice would you give to your past self at the beginning?

Camille: To go all in. I deeply believe that when you commit to something, there is always a return. I’ve never been afraid of failing: it’s by failing that you learn. It’s simple but true.

Repose: Did you imagine yourself getting here when you started?

Camille: Not at all. I even thought about quitting after getting into interior design. But in the end, art caught up with me. I couldn’t escape it.

Repose Archive is a creative direction journal documenting processes and projects across art, design, architecture, and hospitality. As designers, we interview creative minds and explore purposeful creation.  Photography credits: @camille.tan @lalune.gallerie @rien_dspecial_444 @joergkoziol