Spotlight On: Christophe Cornard, sculptor & current TBSSS student

Name: Christophe Cornard

What years have you attend classes at TBSSS?

I have been attending classes since October 2020. I attend both Tuesday and Wednesday evening classes.

What is unique about your TBSSS experience?

In my opinion it is the ideal setting in which to learn and explore different mediums in complete freedom but with guided assistance.

What was your first impression walking in to TBSSS at Erskineville?

It felt inviting, professional, relaxed and social. I was excited to be part of it and explore all the possibilities set before me.

What is special about TBSSS?

Since most teachers were once Tom Bass’ students themselves, they are all eager to pass on his legacy. A special thank you to Christine Crimmins whose guidance allowed me to explore my inner voice in complete freedom.

How have your studies at the TBSSS prepared you for your practice?

My studies have allowed me to explore different mediums to find my inner voice. Without it I may not have settled on sculpture as my medium of choice.

What is your favourite medium to work in?

Currently my work integrates limestone and bronze. Thanks to what I learned in TBSSS, my work, moving forward, is highly likely to continue as mixed media, since ultimately it best represents what I wish to say.

What lessons / skills / concepts have you enjoyed learning at TBSSS?

TBSSS has taught me to see and feel the medium I’m working with rather than merely look and execute.

What inspires your practice today?

Currently my sculpture practice is a process in finding the right balance between negative and positive space, examining the way in which light is absorbed or reflected on the materials I select and the manner in which colours and hues interact with those same materials. At this stage, I seek to push through technical boundaries inherent to selected mediums to further develop my very own style. In fact, I enjoy the process as much as the end product; the latter never ceases to evolve as I work, the initial concept often transformed and elevated through the practice itself.

Tell us about the works you are exhibiting as part of the 50th exhibition:

MIMÉTISME INTERROMPUE / MIMETISM INTERRUPTED: (pictured above)

Two almost identical flame-like shapes surge upwards, forming an almost impenetrable shield. Allowing light and shadows to seep unto the surface, a vertical crescent tears through the upright forms, highlighting their differences and pointing to their vulnerability. The bronze sculpture, patinaed a soft black, stresses the fragility of personal identity and explores a sense of isolation, even in perfect mimesis. As if caressed back to its original state overtime, a thin, golden outline contrasts with the matte surface of the bronze, creating a halo which is nothing but hope, the light calling for expansion into the space beyond. The finely textured surface of the shield, hammered and bend to obtain a slightly convex shape able to protect the one behind, suggesting it without exposing it, echoes the artist’s evolution towards a separation of self from an indisputable nucleus. The emergence of a separate entity, similar in nature, but nonetheless distinguishable from the other, speaks of an evolutionary process, which resolution hints at freedom. Mimetism Interrupted evokes the human faculty in imitating others, in order to conform, and proceed along a similar path as the one which came before it, yet nonetheless points to the possibility of divergence. Spiritually, Mimetism Interrupted alludes to the twin phenomenon of Geminis, identical but separate, indivisible yet independent, intimate echoes of one another, but whose only function in the end is to find its own authentic self.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Receiving support and encouragement from people whose contribution I value has spurred me on, since it confirmed I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be at this point in time. In a world where genuine appreciation is often rare, the accolades have helped me find my feet.

Thank you Christophe!

You can follow Christophe on Instagram here.