Polles' One Man Show at Louvre Museum Garden
Polles is an exceptional sculptor that has not, yet, become well know in the community of collectors & admirers of art. He recently had a One Man Exhibition at The Louvre Garden in Paris. They don't just take someone off the street for an exhibition like this! How to find youtubes of this exhibition as well as other info & videos of Polles are detailed below.
Polles on Youtube
The images shows the various youtube there are on Polles. The ARTE one is wonderful as it shows him in his foundry. There is a gap of a few minutes but just keep it on. He is the only sculptor in the world who has his own foundry in his ateier, a converted 1600's wine press "factory" in the hills outside Pietrasanta, Italy. After a casting, he takes steaks & puts them in the fire pit & serves it with salad & wine. Quite the experience!
Nathanael
Nathanael is the 9 ft., 5 ton sculpture created by Polles in the early 90's. From a block of marble with a hammer & chisel, he created the energy of Nathanael. Polles had something very serious in min when he created it. He got the marble from the same quarry where Michelangelo got the marble for The David. And the phallus! Oy - He made the phallus prominent on the male nude - the part of the male body that is most important in most male psyches. And the shape? My theory is that is it is the anti space of the feminine symbol of the "V" in Leonardo da Vincci"s Last Supper. What else could it be.
Nathanael was shown in The Bagatelle Gardens in Paris. Other sculptors shown there include Henry Moore & Arman. He does have a "mold" of Nathanael to make a bronze piece. It is a "custom" order. Just let me know - expect to spend $150,000 for what will be a limited edition of 3.
I have included an image of Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog Orange. He is a world class artist. Balloon Dog Orange sold for $58 million.
Polles' "History"
Polles grew up in Paris. Both his parents were philosophy professors. He told me they would often spend the eventing in philosophical discussions. Polles always wanted to be a sculptor. His father wanted him to be a Dr. So, Polles went to medical school. Near the end, he decided to leave & he moved with his girlfriend, Alexandra Lazeroff, also a sculptor, to Pietriasanta, Italy. They bought a 1600's wine press factory & created living space, a cold water pool & Polles created his own foundry. He is the only sculptor in the world with his foundry in his atelier.
Pietrasanta is the home of many artists, including Botero, who, I was told, said he considers Polles to be a superior sculptor to himself. It is an ancient town with a beautiful walking street with no cars & a huge square anchored by a church.
A well known art critic & member of The French Academy (now deceased), Morris Rheims, said he "considers Polles to be one of the world's greatest living artists". There is a wonderful book o Polles by Sylvie Blin. Some copies may be available online. She may have to make an updated version soon!
Once when visiting Polles, it turned out Alexandra was having an unveiling of her famous sculpture, Horse, in the square. It was a beautiful day & the scultpre is amazing. It is shown below.
Polles & Axelandra broke up as a couple quite a while ago & Alexandra created her own living space in the atelier. They remain great friends.
More on Polles
Polles has invented a machine, long before computers, that allows him to transcribe his original sculpture to one as large as the piece in the 2n row middle.
His original sculpture is made of clay & might be 1 1/2 ft. tall. The 1st row shows Polles "at work " creating. Other images include some of his beautiful bronze female sculptures. Almost all of his work is bronze with the female form. His newer pieces include a woman on a horse. That image is below. All of Polles' bronze pieces are in a limited edition of 3 pieces.
The images also show Polles in his foundry & at the carrara marble quarry where got the marble for Nathanael.
As far as I know, he is the only sculptor in the world who has his own foundry in his atelier.
Polles' Shows & Exhibitions
Besides Nathanael being shown in The Bagatelle Garden in Paris & his recent One Man Exhibition at The Louvre Gardens, Paris, covered above, he has has had many exhibitions including at the famous gallery Berhein-Jeune. This is the gallery that represented Picasso & all the famous artists of Picasso's time.
Making Sculpture & Making Lunch
Polles working on his original sculpture on the top row, center. He is considered a "master" maker & applicator of patina, the color put on the bronze to create the final result. After a casting, he takes steaks & puts them in the fire pit & serves everyone on his interior patio. Wine & salad & steak & Polles!
12 of Polles' Bronze Sculptures
Here are samples of his work. All sublime!
I am not sure how many different pieces he has done but he is a busy, popular, sculptor.
He has not yet received the recognition he deserves. I get weak when I see his work!
More on Polles
My Background
My Inspiration
My Background
When I was in preschool, my favorite time of day was when I was allowed to draw and paint. As I got older, this love never faded and eventually I went to college to study art.
My Medium
My Inspiration
My Background
I use many different mediums, such as clay, acrylics, and pastels. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.
My Inspiration
My Inspiration
My Inspiration
I enjoy hiking in my spare time and many of my pieces are directly influenced by these hikes in nature. I love recreating plants and wildlife in my work.