Clementine Bal 'Two Mountains' Sculpture Pre-Order

Artist: Clementine Bal
Title: Two Mountains
Medium: Resin, Marble Powder Graphite Sculpture
Size: 22 x 15 x 12 cm
Edition: 8
Prices: $395

Clémentine Bal is a French sculptor born in Paris in 1979 who currently lives and works in Val-Revermont. A graduate of the School of Fine Arts in Annecy, she has developed a distinctive artistic language that bridges the gap between natural forms and the human psyche. Her work is deeply rooted in the themes of childhood, memory, and emotional connection, manifesting as a bestiary of imaginary creatures, hybrid spirits, and sentient geological features like volcanoes and mountains. These figures often feature closed eyes and serene expressions, suggesting an internal state of meditation and a profound sense of calm that serves as a protective barrier against the chaos of the external world.

The aesthetic of her sculptures is heavily influenced by the whimsical yet emotionally complex realms of Hayao Miyazaki, manga, and traditional Japanese statuary, as well as the pop surrealism of artists like Mark Ryden and Marion Peck. Bal employs a meticulous and slow creation process, building her works layer by layer using a variety of materials including resin, epoxy paste, fiberglass, and polystyrene. This additive method is followed by intensive sanding to achieve soft, rounded curves that she describes as a form of caress. She finishes her pieces with matte, velvety paints, graphite, and pastels to enhance their tactile and ethereal quality. Through these "small totems," Bal explores the intricate web of human relationships and the universal language of empathy.