“Aubusson, the world capital of tapestry, symbolizes know-how and this age-old art which is a world heritage site. Art and sport can unite and disseminate strong images to enable great moments to be shared,” enthuses Michel Galvaing, president of the Aubusson rugby club for twenty years. This oval enthusiast also hoped to promote the locality of Aubusson, Creuse having only three rugby clubs, including that of the carpet town.
“I wanted my club to be able to participate in this major sporting event that is the Rugby World Cup in France to promote the development of this sport in our territory,” adds Michel Galvaing. He therefore contacted the Federation to propose the project of a rugby-style tapestry. After several reminders, she accepted and placed an order for a price of 10,000 euros.
“There had to be movement in this work”
The making of the tapestry was entrusted to the Guillot workshop, a family of craftsmen-straighteners that Michel Galvaing knows well and who are experienced in their trade (Marie, Patrick, and their son Luc, a rugby player). Dominique Fénelon, painter-carton maker, established the model of the project: “There had to be movement in this work. I started to build a decor with the oval and, by crossing the oval, it ended up forming a heart. This is why we titled this tapestry At the heart of rugby.”
Around 70 hours of work per week for three months were necessary to create this 1m by 1.5m tapestry made of wool, silk and white cotton. It will return to the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation in Marcoussis (Essonne) after the end of the World Cup this Saturday where it will be exhibited and preserved. Michel Galvaing is already dreaming of a tapestry on the theme of the Paris 2024 Olympics…
