Page 141 - Contemporary Art and Old Masters

FILLE DE JOIE, 2021 CAST BRONZE, EDITION OF 3, SIZE 15½ IN. | 39.3 CM. 
FRIPOUILLE, 2021 CAST BRONZE, EDITION OF 5, SIZE 15½ IN. | 39.3 CM. 

Many of his signature pieces with their soft angular movements
are harmoniously mixed with sharply defined textures captivating
thoughtful designs with an immortal richness, boldness, and
unsettling beauty. Porret’s work is infused with his personality,
unsuppressed by traditional rules; his work is original and buried
within each piece is the poetry of his work.
Creating figures of humanity in the abstract, each form courageously
melting into the next. Emotions created from fragments of granite or
marble jutting and piercing through the bronzes bring the concepts
of nature and man together, creating a stunningly modernistic and
seductive interpretation of the human form.
When viewing one of his sculptures, the human form seems to leap
out at the viewer. Jean-Jacques describes this movement as “rhythm
in space.” Porret said of his artistic method and vision, “I work without
any preconceived idea...(I) continue instinctively, with one shape
leading to the next, until the figure is simply rhythm in space”.
Jean-Jacques Porret’s bronzes can be seen in innumerable
collections throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States. He was
commissioned to create the bronze sculpture for the American-Swiss
Friendship Award. The “Abage Encyclopedia of Bronzes” describes
Porret as “an independent thinker, whose bronze sculpture might
be described as a naturalistic, modern blend, in which forms are
simplified to their essential rhythms and elements.
After acquiring his engineering degree, Porret came to New York,
anxious to learn English and build a life on his terms. There, his
career was set into motion, which soon after led him to Chicago.
Porret’s thirst for knowledge took him to museums all over the
world, absorbing all he could and sharing philosophies with movements are harmoniously mixed with sharply defined textures
the most prominent artist of the time. Surrounded by beautiful captivating thoughtful designs with an immortal richness, boldness,
antiquities, statues, and artwork every day, the seed of art was and unsettling beauty. Porret’s work is infused with his personality,
planted early, and he began carving wood when he was just six unsuppressed by traditional rules; his work is original and buried
years old. He specialized in creating magnificent works with the within each piece is the poetry of his work.
lost wax technique of casting Bronze. Creating figures of humanity in the abstract, each form courageously
Bronze primarily interested him “because it is the most demanding melting into the next. Emotions created from fragments of granite or
material which is responsive and sweet to the touch.” Originally from marble jutting and piercing through the bronzes bring the concepts
Switzerland, award-winning artist, sculptor, and engineer Jean- of nature and man together, creating a stunningly modernistic and
Jacques Porret was exposed to art from the day he was born to a seductive interpretation of the human form.
family of art and antique collectors. Jean-Jacques Porret’s bronzes “Lost wax is a slow multi-step process that has endured only because
can be seen in innumerable collections throughout Europe, Japan, of the results...knowing that my bronze sculptures will outlive me
and the United States. He was commissioned to create the bronze provides a comforting whiff of immortality. I believe everyone wants to
sculpture for the American-Swiss Friendship Award. The “Abage leave something behind.” Porret’s work is entirely his, unique, crafted
Encyclopedia of Bronzes” describes Porret as “an independent with his strong individuality and melded with tremendous sensitivity.
thinker, whose bronze sculpture might be described as a naturalistic, His work and art, a dedication of exacting professionalism, and
modern blend, in which forms are simplified to their essential rhythms unswerving integrity have guided a life of total artistic commitment
and elements.” Many of his signature pieces with their soft angular and personal expression.

WORLD of ART 141