Seven trees (2023) Sculpture by Olivier Goupil Artbre

Olivier Goupil is a contemporary French sculptor who delves deeply into the study of trees, their intricate fractals, and the harmonious existence of forest ecosystems. His chosen medium is recycled copper wire sourced from industrial materials, along with the full spectrum of its natural corrosions.

Goupil's artistic journey centers around a singular subject matter – trees – with their almost infinite diversity of forms and compositions. He employs a seemingly simple medium, copper wire, which nonetheless exudes a sense of nobility and can be molded into intricate shapes with minimal tools. What he seeks in this newfound artistic expression is a sense of simplicity, which becomes most apparent when one shifts their focus from the sculpture itself to the shadows it casts throughout the day. It is a remarkable transformation, where the interplay of light and mere grams of industrial waste conjure forth incredibly lifelike representations of nature.

In the early phases of his artistic exploration, Goupil derived great pleasure from pushing the plastic boundaries of copper. His aim was to capture the essence of different tree species in all their diversity and evolution over time. Utilizing wires ranging from 0.18 to 4mm in diameter, he found himself able to create parts of varying sizes and achieve a wide range of artistic results. Additionally, he experimented with corrosion processes that allowed him to impart different verdigris and blue hues to the copper or modulate the inherent luminosity of natural copper, leading to deeper browns and, ultimately, a matte black reminiscent of shadows.

Through his sculptures of trees, Goupil delves deep into the collective memory of the seasons, the resilience against powerful winds, the earthy aroma after rainfall, and the architectural nuances of different tree species. He approaches his art through an accumulative process, beginning at the base and threading each copper strand through the tree, from roots to twigs. His creative journey treads the delicate line between faithful replication and total improvisation. He revels in the successive phases of seemingly chaotic arrangements as tens or thousands of threads gradually align toward his ultimate quest: capturing a fragment of the emotional connection he feels when gazing upon real trees.

Attempting to articulate this profound relationship with trees seems almost like a betrayal, for they invite us into their silent world. Long before we consume breast milk, it is the oxygen they provide that fills our lungs, initiating an unspoken, lifelong exchange. The forest, constantly evolving and maintaining its delicate balance, shelters a multitude of diverse beings that both constitute and shape it. In comparison, our human societal development appears more chaotic and, perhaps, less tolerant and sustainable. In the presence of trees, we find a lesson we may have overlooked.

The tree transcends generations and cultures, almost bordering on the universal. It has become apolitical, aconfessional, and asexual, even though it once symbolized the axis of the world, connecting humanity to wisdom. This wisdom often eludes us, leaving us with the sensation that it is the empty spaces between the strands of copper that Goupil must endeavor to sculpt, striving to capture the essence of the trees that silently beckon us into their world.

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