le portrait (2020) Sculpture by Valérie Zahonero

Valérie Zahonero, a contemporary French sculptor, charts an unconventional and self-taught path through the world of art, where her only companions have been books, experiences, desires, and the occasional meaningful encounter.

From a young age, Valérie's creative spirit manifested in dreams, observations, tinkering, and drawing. Uninterested in conventional games, she fancied herself a child of the woods, finding inspiration in the scent and sounds of nature. Her childhood served as the foundation for a lifelong journey of artistic exploration.

In the years spanning 1989 to 1992, Valérie delved into studies and research in the visual arts, focusing on watercolors and oil paintings. The realization of her oil paintings opened new creative horizons, leading her to discover a profound sense of freedom in her work.

Her journey took a distinctive turn from 1992 to 1995 when Valérie immersed herself in medieval archaeology in the Aude region. Exploring forgotten villages and desolate castles expanded her perspective, introducing her to new intellectual horizons.

Between 1995 and 2001, Valérie pursued various training and studies in the tertiary sector while maintaining her engagement in the visual arts.

In 2003/2004, Valérie exclusively delved into glass production, exploring techniques such as fusing, Tiffany stained glass, and lead stained glass. Parallel to this, she engaged in studies and research in ceramics from 2004 to 2005, exploring modeling techniques and stoneware glaze research.

As a glass ceramist from 2005 to 2009, Valérie's atypical production combined fusing and stoneware for decorative purposes, giving rise to entirely new sculptures. However, this period was not the culmination of her work; the journey of the spirit persisted.

From 2009 to the present, Valérie embraced a new direction as a ceramic sculptor, focusing on animal production and conducting personal research on different animal types. This marked a significant 45° turn in her artistic trajectory, influenced by an encounter that continues to resonate with her. This shift allowed her to reconnect with childhood dreams of communing with nature.

In 2020, Valérie took her artistic endeavors to the web, sharing her work, which evolved from a focus solely on animals to now include depictions of people. Her journey, marked by twists, turns, and a continuous exploration of mediums, exemplifies her unwavering commitment to self-discovery and the pursuit of artistic expression.

• Nationality: FRANCE
• Date of birth : 1968
• Artistic domains: Works by professional artists,
• Groups: Professional Artist Contemporary French Artists