Bernard Saint-Maxent is self-taught, which allowed him to follow his own ideas in the choice of materials and to integrate all new kinds of elements into his creations. His current work revolves around the pranks of an omnipresent slender character with a joie de vivre. He gives movement and life to his sculptures. His inspiration comes from the burlesque scenes of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, from current events to advertising, from the contradictions of modern life and from his own delusions. Even if the subjects he addresses do not always make you smile, they are nevertheless treated with humor and joie de vivre.
He strives to attract attention and then reflection. Each sculpture is different and “unique” because there is no casting. They are created with a metal structure around which he models with resin and then applies a varnish. After a day he applies two coats of bronze paint and after another day he finishes with a patina that looks like bronze. Bernard believes that art should be light and should bring pleasure.
Bernard Saint Maxent has exhibited extensively in Europe. His work has been exhibited in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Toronto and New York with Linda Blackstone, with whom he has been associated since 2008. His work appears to appeal to an international quirky sense of humor, and Bernard enjoyed selling out shows during this time.
