Bernard Saint-Maxent

Bernard Saint-Maxent is self taught, and this has allowed him to follow his own ideas in choice of materials and to integrate all new kinds of elements to his creations. His current work revolves around the pranks of an omnipresent rangy character with a joie de vivre.

He gives movement and life to his sculptures. His inspiration comes from the burlesque scenes of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, from current events to advertising, the contradictions of modern life and his own ravings. Even if the subjects he covers don't always make you smile, they are nonetheless treated with humour and a zest for life. He strives to attract attention and then reflection.

Each sculpture is different and “one off" because there is no cast. They are created with a metallicstructure around which he models with resin and then applies a varnish. After a day he applies two coats of bronze paint and after another day he finishes with a patina that looks like bronze. The specs are made separately! The sculpture is then attached to aluminium for wall hanging.

Bernard feels that art should be light-hearted, and that it should bring pleasure.

Bernard Saint Maxent has exhibited widely in Europe. His work has been exhibited in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Toronto and New York with Linda Blackstone, with whom he has been associated with since 2008. His work seems to appeal to an international quirky sense of humour, and Bernard has enjoyed sell out shows during this time. He has, to date, held two sell out solo shows in the Place des Vosges, Paris. His work is also exhibited in galleries in Honfleur, Courcheval and St. Paul De Vence in France.