Artist Laurent Proux has completed an ambitious project documenting the industrial workers of the Haut-Jura region through his paintings, with one local company purchasing one of his works to commemorate a significant milestone. Jeantet Élastomères, a rubber manufacturing company celebrating its 120th anniversary, acquired one of Proux's paintings that depicts their own workers in action.
The artwork installation took place at Jeantet Élastomères facilities, with Valérie Pugin, director of the Abbey Museum in Saint-Claude, Jura, overseeing the hanging process. "It's moving to see it here, it completes a full circle," Pugin remarked as she supervised the installation of the painting that had previously been displayed at her museum.
Proux's artistic residency began in 2024 when Pugin invited him to work within the factories of Haut-Jura around Saint-Claude to paint the industrial workers. "Laurent had already worked on this theme, and I thought it would be interesting to create a dialogue between his artistic journey and the industrial identity of the territory," Pugin explained. The artist immersed himself in the local industrial environment to capture the essence of the workers' daily lives.
The completed works were subsequently exhibited at the Abbey Museum as part of the exhibition "The Tree and the Machine," which opened in February 2025. The exhibition showcased Proux's detailed portraits of the region's industrial workforce, celebrating both the artistic merit of the paintings and the dignity of manual labor.
At Jeantet Élastomères, a company specializing in manufacturing machined rubber parts, the artistic project generated significant enthusiasm among employees. "There was real excitement from the staff about doing something different and showcasing what they do every day. People are extremely proud," testified Benoît Jeantet, general director of the family business. The workers felt honored to be subjects of fine art, seeing their daily work elevated to artistic status.
The company's decision to purchase one of the paintings coincided perfectly with their 120th anniversary celebration. Jeantet selected a life-size diptych depicting two workers operating a cylinder mixer, an imposing machine used in rubber manufacturing. "We have always been proud of our activity and our history, and we are committed to showing it," Jeantet explained, emphasizing how the artwork aligned with the company's milestone celebration.
On Friday, September 26, 2025, the museum team and Laurent Proux carefully removed the double painting from the exhibition, wrapped it securely, transported it, and hung it in the company's common room in the lower part of town. The transition from museum to workplace represented a meaningful completion of the artistic project's journey.
"This represents so much history – generations of Saint-Claude residents have worked in this company," Proux reflected on the significance of the installation. "And for this painting that pays tribute to workers to find itself in their workplace, to become part of this history, is a very interesting situation and an honor." The artist expressed deep satisfaction that his work celebrating industrial labor would continue to inspire in the very environment it depicts.
