Robert Auguste & Gyn Gausserand: The "Atelier à Quatre Mains" of Vallauris

Robert Auguste (1922–1991) and Gyn Gausserand (1932–2018) embody the spirit of collaboration and artistic freedom that defined Vallauris in the post-war era. Far from the beaten path, this duo successfully fused the rigor of sculptural form with a graphic poetry inspired by the greatest masters of modern art.

Genesis of a Union: From Montpellier to the City of Potters

The story begins in 1948 at the Fontcarrade school in Montpellier. Robert Auguste, a former philosophy student with a passion for photography, met Ginette (known as Gyn) Gausserand. This encounter sealed a lifelong creative partnership that would span nearly seventy years.

Drawn by the ceramic revival championed by Picasso, they moved to Vallauris in 1952. Amidst the creative effervescence of the "City of 100 Potters," they opened their own studio while collaborating with other major figures: Robert worked as a master thrower for Gilbert Portanier and Odette Gourju, while Gyn specialized as a decorator for Jacques Lignier.

The RGA Style: Between Abstraction and Imaginary Bestiary

Under the shared signature RGA, the couple developed a unique aesthetic defined by total complementarity: Robert, a skilled wheel-thrower, shaped the volumes, while Gyn designed the motifs and refined the silhouettes.

Their work developed along two distinct paths:

Free Form: Zoomorphic and anthropomorphic pieces with bold lines, transforming utilitarian pitchers and vases into true "small-scale sculptures."
Modern Graphics: Their decorations, often featuring geometric layering or stylized botanical motifs, reveal the direct influence of Joan Miró and Paul Klee. The iconic "Pointillé" (dotted) patterns and subtle grid-work testify to their constant quest for modernist expression.

Autonomy as a Manifesto: From Millau to Pouzilhac

In 1960, seeking independence from the growing commercialism of Vallauris, they left the French Riviera for Millau, before permanently settling in Pouzilhac (Gard) in 1965. In this expansive 2,000 sq ft workshop-gallery, they created a "world of their own," focusing on more intimate and sculptural ceramics.

Although they officially separated in 1974, they continued to share the same studio—a testament to an artistic bond that transcended their personal lives. Robert worked there until his passing in 1991, and Gyn carried on the legacy alone until 2017, remaining faithful to their signature artisanal excellence.

The Studio Cinquante Spirit

For Studio Cinquante, the work of Atelier Auguste represents the quintessence of 20th-century artist ceramics. To rediscover their pieces is to celebrate an alternative lifestyle and a rare stylistic integrity. They offer a tactile modernity where every object bears the mark of a permanent dialogue between the clay and the artist’s hand.