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| Group and Permanent Exhibits |
| One Man Shows |
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| THE ARTIST | |
"Achieving a sense of "rightness", even in the most uncertain circumstances, is the motivating concept behind my sculpture. The work is figurative but is not about the figure. I consider myself an expressionist, as I am more interested in communicating an abstract feeling or idea than an actual image. I use recognizable forms to evoke emotions and stimulate sensations." - Jean-Jacques Porret |
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After acquiring his engineering degree, Porret came to New York, anxious to learn English and build a life on his own terms. There, Porret’s career came into motion, a career which soon after led him to Chicago. No one can explain the driving force of an artist. Liberty is made for those who have a combative and creative spirit and imagination. He was drawn to and learned the technique of bronze and lost wax casting. Bronze primarily interested him, “because it is the most demanding material which is responsive and sweet to the touch.” Porret’s thirst for knowledge took him to museums all over the world, absorbing all he could and sharing philosophies with the most prominent artist of the time. |
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| Today, years later, 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 sculpture might be described as a naturalistic, modern blend, in which forms are simplified to their essential rhythms and elements.” |
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| Several years ago, Porret, dissatisfied with his sculpture’s bases, bought a granite and marble company, so as to have complete control in their creation. Having an ongoing and impassioned dialogue with his art, Jean Jacques began to incorporate marble and granite into his bronzes, and in recent works these elements have become an integral part of the sculpture. Those aspects of Porret’s personality which could not be suppressed by rules are what make him so original and are the poetry of his work. He represents people in the abstract, one form softly melting into the next. On some pieces there are fragments of granite or marble jutting and piercing through the bronzes, blending the forces of nature and man, creating a stunningly modernistic and seductive interpretation of the human form. Jean Jacques said of himself, “ 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 continues, “lost wax is a slow multi-step process that has endured only because of the results…knowing that my sculptures will outlive me provides a comforting whiff of immortality. I believe everyone wants to leave something behind.” The uniqueness of Porret is his strong individuality mixed with tremendous sensitivity. A spirit of exacting professionalism and unswerving integrity have guided a life of total artistic dedication and personal expression. |
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GROUP and PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS Peter Miller Gallery, Chicago , Ill. |
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1985, 86, 87, 89 Benjamin Beattie Gallery, Chicago , Ill |
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