Jean Pierre Raynaud first started a collection of objects during his military service. In 1962 he discovered the art world and came into contact with the nouveaux réalistes Niki de Saint-Phalle and Jean Tinguely. In this period he became obsessed with everyday materials, such as white tiles and flowerpots - which are found all over the world. This ‘mania’ goes so far that the artist identifies himself with his materials. Despite the fact that Raynaud uses mundane everyday objects to express his presence in the world, his oeuvre acquires an existential dimension.