The Legacy of an Artist Narrated Through Bronze and Glass

The Alliance Française de Singapour and REDSEA Gallery offer "Val, A Legacy," showcasing the captivating bronze and glass creations of the late artist Valérie Goutard, as part of the French Excellence project.

For a renowned artist, being acknowledged by one's full name differs significantly from being recognized solely by a nickname, a truncated version typically reserved for family or intimate relationships. Professional recognition instills a unique sense of pride in individuals; the familiarity associated with their reputations serves as a testament to their dedication to their craft. Furthermore, it reflects how a warmth typically reserved for intimate circles is embraced and celebrated within their respective industries or fields of expertise.

Val, an abbreviation for Valérie Goutard, exemplifies an artist whose existence encapsulates a romantic spirituality, characterized by an almost naive astonishment towards the world that radiates a lingering tenderness. Prior to her untimely demise in a motorcycle accident, the French-born sculptress was a product of diverse cultures, having been raised in South America, Africa, and Europe, before establishing herself in Bangkok in 2014 to pursue her artistic endeavors.

She embraced this perpetual displacement, her affection for being an outsider evident in the manner her captivating bronze sculptures attract viewers akin to bees to nectar, mirroring the humanity embedded within them — incisive yet tender, alien yet recognizable, her elongated figures evoke curiosity in both perspective and emotion.

Moreover, she is completely self-taught, possessing an instinctive brilliance that harmoniously integrates bronze and glass, contributing significantly to the art of sculpture. Ultimately, her admiration for the patina-rich material compelled her to establish her residence in the sole nation that has successfully preserved this ancient craft business.

J’ai fantaisie

Although inherently talented in her craft, the late artist achieved recognition only following her involvement in the Shanghai Art Fair in 2010 and the Jing’An International work Park Project, when she unveiled her inaugural massive work, “Urban Life.” In the years subsequent to this lauded performance, she conducted other shows and public installations around Asia and Europe, producing sculptures that epitomize her artistic and sculptural vision.

A significant example that illustrates her passion for the environment and the integration of her art within it is “Ocean Utopia,” a series of bronze and marine concrete installations anchored on the seabed of Koh Tao in Thailand. What was formerly desolate and populated by what Val characterizes as “unsightly” edifices is now teeming with vitality, as the proliferation of corals, anemones, shellfish, and various marine organisms has converted the area into a sanctuary. Compiled few months before her untimely demise in October 2016, this project stands as one of her most major undertakings, orchestrated by her husband Frédéric Morel—who is also the visionary behind this exhibition—as a tribute to their mutual passion for diving.

In 2022, her artworks were showcased at an institutional exhibition associated with the off-display of the Venice Art Biennale. Her enduring impact remains profound, despite her untimely departure at a young age. We are fortunate to own several manifestations of her genius and affection for natural rhythm, space, and patterns, made available through her spouse and the continually evolving art landscape today.

The exhibition "Val, A Legacy," part of the French Excellence programme, will be held concurrently at Alliance Française de Singapour and REDSEA Gallery from 12 October to 18 November, featuring previously unseen pieces as a memorial to the late artist.