Blending contemporary art, design and exceptional craftsmanship, Cédric Petitgerard reinvents the piano. Metal, transparency, light and precious materials come together to create remarkable instruments at the crossroads of sculpture and musical creation.
A transparent piano, exposed metal structures, plays of light revealing the instrument’s inner workings… In the hands of Cédric Petitgerard, the piano does more than produce music. It becomes a sculpture, an architectural statement, an object of contemplation. A new way of approaching this centuries-old instrument, where aesthetic exploration meets acoustic excellence.
When Music Meets Contemporary Art
In his workshop in Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse, in France’s Haute-Saône region, Cédric Petitgerard explores the sculptural possibilities of the piano. Moving beyond conventional forms, he designs instruments whose lines, volumes and materials become an integral part of their artistic identity.
Trained in metalworking and artistic metal craftsmanship, he developed an early fascination with piano mechanisms, taking instruments apart to understand how they worked. This technical curiosity gradually became the starting point for his creative exploration.
His encounter with Olivier Colin, then head of a piano manufacturing company, gave him the opportunity to contribute to the development of an initial prototype. This decisive experience paved the way for his own experiments.
Today, through the Gary-Pons and Colmann brands, he creates instruments in which soundboards, mechanical components and materials become visible elements of a distinctive artistic language.
The Piano as a Sculptural Object
At what point does a musical instrument become a work of art?
This question lies at the heart of Cédric Petitgerard’s practice. His creations go beyond simply embellishing an existing object. They challenge its form, its presence in space and the way it interacts with its surroundings.
Metal meets wood, transparent materials reveal intricate mechanisms, and light accentuates unexpected architectural forms. Each piano becomes a unique creation, designed as much to be admired as to be played.
His sources of inspiration extend far beyond music. A painting, a building or the light within an interior can spark an idea. The piano becomes a meeting point for different disciplines, where exceptional craftsmanship converges with contemporary artistic expression.
Creations That Push Boundaries
Some commissions particularly illustrate this creative freedom.
For an Irish client, Cédric Petitgerard recounts creating a piano entirely clad in jade, with decorative elements carved from a single block. An achievement as technically demanding as it was visually striking, its installation reportedly required a helicopter.
With Origami, another project, he explores faceted geometric forms and lighting effects. Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, this concept is intended to become a limited edition of five upright pianos and five grand pianos.
Beyond their spectacular appearance, these creations reflect a clear ambition: to challenge the aesthetic conventions of the instrument without ever compromising its musical purpose.
Between Sculpture, Design and Musical Excellence
Although his pianos borrow from the visual language of sculpture, Cédric Petitgerard remains deeply committed to their sound quality.
Behind their bold forms and unconventional materials, the soundboards, mechanisms and acoustic properties remain essential. Artistic exploration never comes at the expense of the musical experience.
This commitment shapes an approach in which innovation, traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic experimentation continuously inform one another.
The artist is also developing the idea of a piano for public spaces, freely accessible and supported by digital learning tools. This initiative further expands the instrument’s role, bringing together artistic creation, education and shared cultural experiences.
A musical instrument, a design object or a sculpture? Perhaps all three.
It is precisely at the intersection of these disciplines that Cédric Petitgerard’s artistic universe takes shape. His creations invite us to reconsider a familiar object, rediscover its material qualities and experience the piano as a work of art in its own right.
For while music brings the instrument to life, its form can already tell a story.
In its November–December 2026 issue, ART MAG International dedicates three pages to Cédric Petitgerard. An illustrated portrait exploring his distinctive creations at the intersection of art, design and music.