Robin. Bronze, one of an edition of 12 copies, 22 x 32 x 18 cm. LEGS: springs , pieces of costume jewellery; BODY: children’s tricycle fender; FEATHERS: hood ornament of a Citroen; WINGS: petrol tank plates of a 50s motorcycle Monet-Goyon, bike chain guards; TAIL: car part, motorcycle decoration; EYES: marbles; HEAD: two seed scoops, ornaments for bike lights; BEAK: autoscope part, bike ornament.
Edouard Martinet does stunning work. For me, this is in the jaw drop category.
Martinet has become the art world’s virtuoso insectophile, transforming bits and pieces of cast-off junk culled from flea markets and car boot sales into exquisitely executed insect, fish and animal forms.
What sets Martinet’s work apart is the brilliant formal clarity of his sculptures, and their extraordinary elegance of articulation. His degree of virtuosity is unique: he does not solder or weld parts. His sculptures are screwed together. This gives his forms an extra level of visual richness – but not in a way that merely conveys the dry precision of, say, a watchmaker. There is an X-Factor here, a graceful wit, a re-imagining of the obvious in which a beautifully finished object glows not with perfection, but with character, with new life.
Martinet will open a new exhibition of work at Sladmore Contemporary in London starting May 5th, 2016. I wish I could see this in person!
Fly, 47 x 40 x 27 cm. LEGS : windshield wiper arms, bike brakes, bike chains, small typewriter parts; HEAD: motor vehicle rear light; PROBOSCIS: car hood hinge; ANTENNAE: ski boot fasteners; THORAX: motorbike headlight; On the top : 50’s kitchen utensil. WINGS: the glass is set in a windscreen brush holder, the wing ribs are made with soldering wire; ABDOMEN: motorbike headlight, part of ceiling lamp.
Sardine, 25 x 70 x 11 cm. BODY: Moped chain guard covered with multiple bicycle logo badges; HEAD: Solex front fenders, car bumpers. EYES: Flashlights; GILLS: Car door parts, bicycle chain guards. TAIL: Motorbike exhaust pipe; FINS: Cake tins.
Via Colossal Art; More of Martinet’s work (2016 Exhibition) can be seen here.
What incredible work.
We had a guy in the area who did this for years. He had gigantic ants, spiders and a “chupacabra” all standing around on his place, plus he made them and sent them all over. Some of them were over 20′ high. However, his were not nearly as gorgeous and graceful as the work by Martinet. These are truly amazing.
Spellbound and awestruck! I’m in love with the dragonfly and the mantis, though they’re a bit large for the house (when I get a mansion, though…). The black swift is only slightly on the large side, if I get a grand piano for it to sit on.
(The Colossal article also links to several other artists of a similar bent, and this one especially captured my eye (and my time until the train).)
Kestrel,
There’s a guy here in ND does gigantic reclaimed metal sculptures. (I think most places have ‘that guy’). :D Here, the sculptures are along the Enchanted Highway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Highway and http://www.dakotasearch.com/attractions/enchantedhighway/
Martinet’s works are pretty small, which just adds to the wow factor.
rq:
If I could afford one, I’d be stuck. I don’t know which I’d choose. I’m continually drawn back to the fly and the sardine though.
Wow, that is some fantastic work!
I love the robin and rose beetle.
That’s rather fun, but do you know about this guy? http://www.modahaus.com/cats-and-mice-historical-armor-art-by-jeff-de-boer/ ?
Hello, by the way. Think I’ve just lurked here so far, but had been vaguely intending to flag up his work for you. This post gave me just the nudge I needed.
Hi ya, Katybe! Good to see you here.
I did not, but I do now, and I’ll happily feature him sometime this week. Thanks!
Wow!
Pretty AND kinda Steampunky. Me like!
Wow, those are incredible.
My amazement at the creativity of people continues!
There are canned sardines, and there there are sardines made from cans…
(Yes, I know, the sardine wasn’t made from cans. Not even sardine cans. Or canned sardines.)
Gorgeous. Some nice touches: The robin is painted to look like it’s made of mahogany. The “claws” of the fly and scales of the sardine.