presents... Stéphane GoarnissonA passion for the animal kingdom
Sculptor, that's my job, my dream come true!
After practicing clay modelling via various associative workshops from 1999 to 2009, I had my first exhibition in 2009 which was the launchpad to another professional dimension. From January 2010, I opened my personal workshop to develop my own style with my favourite subjects, i.e. animals, and pursue what I had just dared, exhibiting my art to the public, expressing the realisation of a dream.
Nowadays, my art is exhibited everywhere! Most recently, at the famous Salon d'Automne 2019 (society of the Salon d'Automne - Paris). I am also on permanent display at the "Nouvelle Galerie" in Saint-Quay-Portrieux, and a member of the association of Breton sculptors (Sculpteurs de Bretagne).
Sculpting, like many artistic activities, is a solitary and introspective work, leaving little room for communication. Responding to a deeply rooted need for sharing was therefore an obvious path for me, to find balance between producing artwork and exchanging with art lovers. Opening my workshop to a few trainees, for a day or a weekend, allowed me to discover a passion for teaching, sometimes leading to instigate new vocations. Of course, exhibitions have been an important source of exchanges with the public who are often very warm, observant and critical; thus nourishing the inspiration, the motivation, and the desire to go ever further in the expression of my art.
The animal world allows such a progression as the subjects are infinite. Species, living environments... a variety of models favour many different expressions, the artist's journey doing the rest. My Breton background often pushes me towards the sea and its extraordinary creatures (whales, octopus, elephant seals, etc.). And then there is Africa, my sometimes adoptive land, impregnating my soul with its fauna; elephants, giraffes, zebras, gorillas, giant tortoises ... forever in my mind, and coming out of it to be incarnated in a piece of clay. Then, technique takes over, transforming clay into raku (glazed terracotta in a "Japanese style"), bronze or resin.
