François-Xavier Richard

After completing a Baccalaureate in the sciences, François-Xavier entered the Beaux-Arts in Angers, where he obtained his DNAP in Art, followed by a DNSEP in Communication. Initially intending to pursue theater, scenography, and stage direction, he collaborated with professional companies, developing an artistic approach based on theatrical installation and performance. He also cultivated a passion for engraving, discovered during his studies with Dominique Allard.

Newly graduated, he was invited to participate in a pedagogical initiative, Métiers-Etudes, aimed at promoting the art and craft trades. This experience led him to establish a block-printed wallpaper workshop under the guidance of Véronique de la Hougue from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and Patrice Mauny.

At the end of his first year of teaching, Mauny invited him to join his company with a view toward potential succession. The world of block printing became a true revelation for François-Xavier, one that would never leave him. Shortly thereafter, Mauny sold his factory to Zuber, and François-Xavier decided to launch his own project: to revive the traditional technique of block printing through a seamless fusion of artisanal skill and modern technology.

On November 3, 1999, François-Xavier founded l'Atelier d'Offard in Saumur and completed his first commission for George Sand's residence. This was quickly followed by projects for the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon, the Garcia Resende Theater in Evora, various sites with Belfry Historics in the United States, and projects in England, Italy, and more.

From the very beginning, research played a significant role in the company’s activities, allowing the workshop to revive a range of forgotten techniques: flocking, embossing, patina techniques on paper, burnishing with stones, and others. These early years were also dedicated to creating and refining the tools, all custom-designed by François-Xavier and his father.

In 2004, the workshop moved to Joué-lès-Tours, and then to Tours in 2008.

While defending the heritage and creation of block-printed wallpaper, François-Xavier conducts research and engages in an artistic approach centered around the sound of paper. He was a Villa Kujoyama laureate in 2017 and spent four months in Japan working on the sound of paper. This is how L’Orgue de papier was born, a vast architectural structure equipped with musical instruments designed to make a whole range of wonderful washi papers sing.

His journey then takes him to Tokyo and Beijing for the Wonderlab exhibition, and to Venice for the Homo Faber exhibition. Upon returning to France, he participates in the creation of the Toguna at the Palais de Tokyo and was awarded the Villa Albertine residency for 2022-2023 for a two-month stay in the United States.

In 2023, François-Xavier Richard was named Maître Artisan d’Art, the highest distinction in the field of arts and crafts, and he was also the national laureate of the Ateliers d’Art de France competition for a creation in carton pierre at the Grand Hôtel du Lion d’Or in Sologne.