LAURENCE PERRATZI

I am a figurative artist exploring the expression of the body and the depth of the human soul, an endless journey! The world we live in can be so overwhelming and stressful that sculpting becomes a daily breath of fresh air and serenity often represented in my work.

My sculptures remind us to maintain perspective, let go of the small daily stresses that can easily overshadow our mood, and embrace life’s simple joys, no matter how small. It is a playful reminder that many of the troubles we face daily are insignificant in the grand scheme of life. After graduating from a French business school in 1993, I worked in Finance and lived in various cities around the world, including Paris, Hong Kong, San Francisco and London. In 2001, I decided to leave the business world behind and devote myself entirely to sculpture. I trained under renowned sculptors such as Jean-Charles Mainardis (Paris), Jan Buckley (London), and Hywell Pratley (London) and held my first exhibition in Paris in 2003. Since then, my work has been showcased in major art fairs across the world (London, Paris, Brussels, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, Canada and the United States). I am currently represented by Emmanuelle G Contemporary Art Gallery (New York), Galerie Blanche (Montréal, Canada), A. Galerie (Paris), Galerie Duret (Paris), Rise Art (UK), Casart (France, Belgium, Switzerland) and Muse Gallery (Franschhoek, South Africa). My work is also displayed in prestigious locations such as The Waldorf in London, the “Residence” of the French ambassador in London, the Mondrian hotel in Cannes, The Grand Lodge hotel in the US…

Material Exploration & Recent Works

While I am best known for my bronze sculptures, all in limited edition of 8, I embrace creative experimentation, working with materials such as plaster, wood, straw and jesmonite to craft intimate and powerful sculptures reaching up to 240 cm. I introduced polyurethane in 2020 during the lockdown (Head in the Clouds) and have since continued exploring material contrasts, juxtaposing bronze with more natural and organic elements such as paper and zeechium. In my latest sculptures named Momentum and Flyaway, I mix bronze and paper to highlight both the strength, energy and power of women—symbolized by bronze—as well as softness and fragility —represented by paper. The contrast between these materials, along with the contrast of colors, illustrates the complexity, subtlety, and richness of the human condition.

Butterfly tells the story of a little girl, sculpted in bronze, standing alone in a dark forest made of 176 zeechium trees suspended on piano strings. Despite her surroundings, she sees only the white butterfly—a symbol of hope that allows her to forget, or even ignore the darkness around her. This piece offers a reflection on perspective, showing how hope and faith can guide us through the overwhelming challenges of the modern world. It is also a gentle reminder to preserve the innocence of childhood for as long as possible.