Hervé Larrieu (Gabadiko Ahotza)

Hervé Larrieu alias Gabadiko Ahotza born in 1972 is a blacksmith sculptor from the Basque country.

Distinguished for his human qualities, his artistic talent, for his mystical approach to sculpture and for having rekindled the Gabat forge. This is why it is called Gabadiko Ahotza (name in Basque which means "the blacksmith of Gabat").

Fascinated by the physical potential of the human body and its movement, he became a manual therapist and Systema martial artist. Hervé Larrieu with a few hammer blows on old scrap, gives new impetus, a formless form (nothing smooth, too polished, too perfect).

The words of the artist: “His place in this world is to participate in poetry which needs roughness to exist. The blacksmith remains one of the guardians of the fulgurances of matter in what it has most refined. Not to impose one's will at all costs but to assist the fire, to resonate with the hammer, to listen to the anvil and in unison with the metal: This is the approach that guides me within the forge . Moved by an initial intention but stripped of all whims that would like to take power during the process, I become an instrument at the service of creation. Once in this fire, in absolute terms, I have nothing more to do."

Exhibitions:

Marmau: (Hasparren) May to September 2017

La Benoîterie: (Arbonne) September 2017 and January 2018:

Caracas Gallery: (Arcachon) April 2018

Api.Apa: (St Jean Pied De Port) July-August 2018

Château d'Uhart-Mixe: summer 2019