"Opinel" (2019) Sculpture by Pagès Du Pilou

Pagès Du Pilou is a contemporary French artist known for his distinctive sculptures and paintings that are raw, playful, colorful, and original. Born and raised on a farm in the Causse du Quercy region, home to famous rock art caves like Rocamadour and Pech Merle, Pagès Du Pilou developed a deep connection to the land and its natural elements. His early exposure to art came through a reproduction of the Mona Lisa, but it was his time spent in the rugged landscape, surrounded by animals and stone, that profoundly influenced his artistic direction.

In 2009, after working in oil and gas exploration, Pagès Du Pilou decided to fully dedicate himself to art. His sculptures, which he calls "Anthropomorphic sculptures by directed erosion," are created from Causse stones, embodying the memory of Jurassic sediments. These stones are fractured, eroded, and worn, symbolizing the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. His sculptures reflect the weathered faces of rural life—peasants, breeders, and masons—capturing the essence of a bygone era. Pagès Du Pilou also repurposes discarded objects like cans and toys, casting them in concrete to form luminous totems, which he describes as a future archaeologist’s way of resurrecting forgotten items.

In his painting practice, Pagès Du Pilou utilizes an ancient technique called "fixed under glass," where he paints on the back of car windows recovered from scrapyards. The glass, with its markings and scratches from its previous life, becomes part of the artwork, giving his paintings a unique brilliance and texture. He sometimes incorporates recycled materials like canvas, burlap, and mended stockings into his works, creating a distinctive style that merges art and recycling in a playful yet thoughtful way.

• Nationality: FRANCE
• Date of birth : 1954
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary French Artists