Presence Sculpture

After an initial career in the banking sector, Christian Candelier, born in 1951, embarked on a new professional journey in 2011, driven by his passion for modeling. This vocation was sparked by a decisive encounter with a sculptor who, during an exhibition, invited visitors to explore the emotions of clay. From this experience, a revelation emerged: modeling with a live model. For Christian Candelier, this discovery was exhilarating the ability to create unique works with his own hands, shaping his emotions and inspirations around the theme of femininity. Numerous workshops and courses, providing both technical skills and emotional depth, allowed him to pursue this path. Since then, he has held over 80 solo and group exhibitions and sells his works in France and internationally. He has been based in Sanary-sur-Mer, Var (83110) FRANCE, since 2024. «I love natural curves, especially those of the female body. For me, it is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, much like the sculptors who have marked it, such as Rodin or Camille Claudel. The curves of vine stalks fascinate me just as much. My artistic approach is rooted in a deep desire: to sublimate the aesthetics of the body with a touch of eroticism in a figurative approach that I sometimes like to transgress through a simplification of forms. I also enjoy allowing the viewer to let their imagination run wild, whether it's from a hand resting on a shoulder or a deconstructed silhouette. I work with clay and wax, among other materials, to create unique bronze pieces. This concept guides each of my creations, where I aspire to amaze the viewer with feminine elegance, particularly through capelines, grace, and the movement of off-balance ilhouettes. My imagination is fueled by the poses of live models, fashion photography, perfume advertisements, and haute couture, characterized by elegance. Certain works of art and contemporary architecture - notably the fluid and airy creations of Santiago Calatrava — also influence my work. I find a kinship between architectural curves and those of the human body, embodying lightness and harmony.» For further information about for sculptures please contact curator@saatchiart.com