Jacques Dorier

This amusing Frenchman became a circus clown after dropping out from dental school. After many years of performing, he studied Washi Dollmaking (described below) with a Japanese Master.

His recent work combines figurative sculpting, resin casting, paper manipulation techniques, fine painting and a fearless imagination! This unusual combination lends itself to the creation of intricate paper sculptures with rich textural qualities.

Jacques’ background as a circus performer and musician is evident in his use of bright colors and his vivid, whimsical approach to each subject.

His "paper" sculptures portray whimsical characters, fanciful maidens and fantasy characters, as well as hilarious fashionable animals and an exciting line of anthropomorphic clocks.

Whatever the subject matter, each creation conveys motion and seems ready to jump off the shelf.

Washi papers

These papers are handmade from the inner bark the Mulberry, Mitsumata and Gampi trees by master craftsmen in Japan . Their texture and exquisite patterns resemble Oriental textiles and are achieved with stencils, woodblocks or silk-screens.

Washi dolls (Traditional style)

This style of dollmaking originated in Japan more than three centuries ago.

Once very simple and flat, they are now works of art and three-dimensional. They are slim figures, inspired by scenes and characters depicted in the Kabuki Theater and the Japanese prints "Ukiyo-e".

Every part of the doll is folded and shaped by hand with Washi papers: face, hair, clothes and accessories such as hair comb, flower, pin, fan, umbrella, lantern, basket, swords.

No part is molded; each doll is unique.

The tools are simple: glue, scissors, tweezers, floral tape, wire and a paper crumpling tool.

The dolls convey feelings and emotions with body language.

Like a Kabuki actor these dolls have a white face and no features.

Therefore, the posing of the doll is the most critical phase of the dollmaking process since it brings life into the doll.