Astérion 2, 2021

Christian Hevin  

The concept of this work is borrowed from a figure in Greek, and more specifically Cretan, mythology. The image of the Minotaur is revisited. Here, the bull takes on a human face while retaining its defining attribute: the horns. These are barely suggested by a light trace in the material.

The ancient story of Asterion, the minotaur, is a condemnation of him by Minos, king of Crete, to wander all his life in a labyrinth created by Daedalus… An allusion to the difficulties everyone has in finding their own way through the twists and turns of life.

The bronze version was created using the lost-wax casting technique at the Sara Degroeve workshops in Ghent, Belgium. This example is signed and numbered (1/8) and bears the foundry's signature.

The bronze sculpture "Asterion" is distinguished by its bold marriage of geometric forms and realistic detail. On one side, a sumptuously detailed face emerges, expressing striking emotional depth. The artist has captured the essence of humanity with remarkable precision, highlighting a smooth, reflective texture that contrasts with the rest of the work. In the background, angular blocks, deliberately textured and imperfect, evoke the robustness and ruggedness of natural materials, amplifying the duality between perfection and imperfection. Shades of brown and gold accentuate the richness of the bronze, adding a dimension of warmth and history. "Asterion" embodies a fascinating dialogue between artifice and nature, drawing the eye to the intricate balance of form and feeling.