Xavier Clarisse

Xavier Clarisse is a Durban-based artist and designer whose work is celebrated for its theatricality, interactivity, and masterful use of materials. Born in Lyon, France, he cultivated a passion for design from a young age, leading him to study at L’Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts with a specialization in sculpture and product design. After working in France and the UK, he established his practice in South Africa.

Drawing inspiration from his local surroundings, Clarisse incorporates the lush, subtropical vegetation of Durban into his designs, particularly evident in his lighting where leaf motifs cast atmospheric shadows. His creative process is driven by hands-on material exploration and experimentation. A running theme throughout his work is a sense of playfulness and movement, inviting interaction with the object. While his primary focus is sculptural lighting—with notable pieces like the Delicious Light and Blade Light—his interest in fashion has led him to translate his leatherworking techniques into a range of wearable designs.

Clarisse's artwork is held in significant public and corporate collections. His sculptures are part of the Durban Art Gallery and the Moses Mabhida Stadium's permanent public art collection, where his interactive 'King Protea' is housed in the Presidential suite. His 'Cabinet of Curiosities,' commissioned by UCLA's Art and Global Health Centre, is now in the permanent collection of the Wits Adler Museum.

A regular contributor to exhibitions with Southern Guild, his work has been shown internationally, including at the prestigious Salon Art + Design in New York.