Maurice Barbette is a French sculptor from the Bordeaux region who calls himself an “artiste inoxydable” – a stainless artist – after his favourite material, stainless steel, which he combines with glass, wood and plant elements. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind. His hybrid figures merge organic and industrial forms with absurdity, melancholy, offbeat humour and a childlike sense of wonder.
Maurice Barbette is a French sculptor based in the Bordeaux region, who presents himself as an “artiste inoxydable” – a stainless artist – in reference to his favourite material. He works mainly with stainless steel, combined with glass, wood and plant elements. Each of his pieces is handmade and unique. His sculptures are hybrid figures that mix organic and industrial forms, blending absurdity, melancholy and a touch of madness with a naive, childlike sense of wonder. Offbeat humour is central to his approach, summed up in his motto: “if too serious, abstain”. Among his recurring series are the “Bouilles à Barbette” and the “Douelle’men”. The unique stainless steel sculpture “Guerre des pinceaux” (“War of the Brushes”, 2004), offered by TUMO Gallery, shows his playful handling of polished metal.
