Claudia Comte

In Carrara, among the marble quarries, seeing the stone at its source.

Carrara marble originated from marine sediments around 200 million years ago, which were transformed over time by heat and pressure into the stone I often work with today. Walking through these mountains is always a humbling experience that puts things into perspective, reminding me of the immense timescales of geology and how brief our own presence is in comparison…

Finding the right block is the beginning of a much longer process. Each sculpture starts with a shape carved by hand in wood, which is gradually developed using the chainsaw and refined through weeks of sanding and polishing in the studio. Only then is the wooden shape 3D scanned and translated into marble.

The material is extraordinary because it carries such a long history within it, yet remains so present and tangible, with its own veins, imperfections and variations that make every block (and therefore sculpture) unique. Since my first visit 13 years ago, I continue to be amazed every time I return! It’s truly special coming back to these mountains and to be working with the same teams, whose knowledge and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations of families.