Description
Claude Courtecuisse is an artist, designer, and educator who divides his time between Lille and Paris. His extensive career is marked by significant contributions to both the artistic and academic worlds, notably his iconic role in accessible design for Prisunic.
A graduate of the Arts Appliqués in Paris and the École Normale Supérieure de l’Enseignement Technique (ENS), Claude Courtecuisse quickly established himself as a leading figure in French design. In 1967, he distinguished himself at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs with a bold presentation of cardboard furniture, showcasing his commitment to a sustainable and aesthetically modern approach. The following year, he designed the Mercurio chair in thermoformed plastic, a technical feat representative of industrial design at the time.
It was also during this period that his iconic Apollo armchair was born—an innovative and comfortable model that could be carried under the arm. This armchair was produced by Steiner and distributed by Prisunic around 1969-1970, embodying Prisunic’s desire to make “beauty at the price of ugliness” accessible to everyone. The Apollo armchair was even reissued by Monoprix (Prisunic’s successor) in 2022, testifying to its timeless character and its importance in the history of popular design. He also designed the Monobloc Soléa Chair in 1970, produced by Cattaneo, examples of which are held by the Frac Grand Large.
Parallel to his industrial creations, Courtecuisse began his teaching career at the École régionale des arts plastiques de Lille from 1970 to 1987, where he served as director from 1987 to 1989. He was also a member of the technical committee of the Frac Nord-Pas-de-Calais from 1982 to 1989.
His influence extended nationally as Principal Inspector of Artistic Education at the Ministry of Culture from 1989 to 1992. He then held teaching and advisory roles in prestigious institutions such as École Camondo and École Olivier de Serre in Paris, where he was an associate professor until 2001. Currently, he prepares students for the leçon examination of the agrégation in applied arts at ENS Cachan.
As an accomplished artist, photographer, and sculptor, Claude Courtecuisse has completed public commissions for the Ministry of Culture. His works are featured in renowned collections, including the Musée d’Art Moderne de Villeneuve d’Ascq, the Centre Georges-Pompidou, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and the Frac Nord-Pas-de-Calais. His diverse body of work, his pioneering role in accessible design, and his profound impact on art education firmly establish him as a pivotal figure in contemporary French art and an emblematic designer of the Prisunic years.
