Artist Feature: Gaelle Hintzy-Marcel

Multifaceted Sculptures

Learn more about the beautiful work of French sculptor Gaelle Hintzy-Marcel, whose work we fell in love with while visiting the Women Artists from France to USA Itinerancy 03 exhibit at the Victori + Mo Gallery.

Q: I always like to start from the beginning, so could you tell me more about where you're from, and when/how you first discovered sculpting?

I was born and raised in France and I’ve been interested in art since my childhood.

In my early 20’s, I was inspired by a friend to start sculpting. In addition, I lived in close proximity to a sculpture store in Paris, and one day, I got my first tools from that store and registered for “Atelier Terre et Feu” classes. That’s how sculpting became my passion.

Q: I know you're inspired by the various cultures you've come across. Your work has been exhibited in Paris, Jakarta, Moscow, and New York. How have these multicultural experiences translated into your artwork?

More than my workplace, those countries have been my “Home” for 3 to 5 years each.

Being exposed to such different cultures, I had to adjust, understand, rebel, accept and love all of them! Each country gave me new eyes on life and the world, a new understanding of where I lived and who I was. And, you can read those influences in all of my work.

I share all my emotions and all my discoveries through my work.

For example, when I first went to Indonesia, I struggled to understand how people could accept and not revolt against some of the challenges in their lives. A reflection between acceptance of life and fatality led me to create a sculpture on this subject. A man with his shoulder and head slightly down, hand in his pockets, walking on a road.

This multicultural exposure was also a wonderful opportunity to work with great sculptors who taught me their techniques and approaches. To me they were real Gurus.

All those cultures are fully translated into my work, both technically and philosophically.

Q: Your focus is on femininity, emotions, and feelings about life - is there anything in particular you hope to communicate or provide through this work?

Through my work I aim to express my mind, share my discoveries, and give insight to people’s questions.

I believe the body and the mind are closely linked. The posture of the body influences the mindset of the person and vice versa.

I use the body postures of my sculptures to communicate, as messages printed in the materials. Straight shoulders are in the present, shoulders inside are humility, shoulders outside show self-confidence. For example, I’ll amplify the arms toward the sky to give a sense of gratitude or I will elongate the legs to give a sense of “presence”.

I aim to communicate positive messages, as a way to give recommendation or interrogation which will give people some new approaches to their lives.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists, specifically those interested in pursuing sculpting?

I am not sure I can give advice, but I can share my experiences. To me sculpting is a mix of fun, focus, experiment, and hard work. Actually, the best advice could be to let go and follow your instincts!

Q: What have been some of the greatest accomplishments, and biggest challenges, in your career so far? What do you think is most challenging, and most rewarding, about being an artist?

I realized that when doing bronze, I had to give up a part of the process to foundries, and this frustrated me a lot because I enjoy doing everything by myself from A to Z.

I looked for a way to keep control of my sculpture, so I experimented with another metal that needed a lower temperature and would allow me to keep my hands on the process. This metal is pewter. After a huge amount of experimentation, I was finally able to pour my own sculpture in pewter. I am very proud of it.

This led to one of my first « public » recognitions, with an award at the Art Student League of New York for my work in pewter named « Past present », in the semi-abstract category.

But recently because of the closure of the ateliers, I had to create new work from different materials like resin, plaster or wood in order to be able to work from home. Strangely the lockdown opened new perspectives for me.

Another frequent challenge for an artist is to be able to exhibit surrounded by the right people, at the right place and with the right audiences. Most recently, in pandemic times, it has been quite a struggle to be able to make this happen. But with Carole Jury abstract painter, Pascale Roux de Bezieux photographer and Marine Futin pastelliste, we were able to set up an exhibition of the Women Artists From France to USA this October in a Gallery in Chelsea which I am very proud of.

At the end, what is most rewarding for me is that each time someone is touched by one of my sculptures. It’s a really great feeling!

Q: Who or what most inspires you and influences your work? (artists or otherwise)

I am inspired by the works of other artists in general. Sculptors of course, but also painters or photographers.

But above all, I am inspired by contemporary dance, which is another form of art I really love. Every show gives me tons of ideas on how to express a feeling through a gesture, a position of the body. I am a big fan of Akram Khan and the Nederland Dans Theater.

More philosophically, I am inspired by the yoga philosophy and moves that I discovered a few years ago when I lived in Mumbai, India. I am so amazed to discover every day how the intelligence of the body gives the best tools to keep the lead on yourself and your brain. Freedom!

Q: Changing up the subject a little bit, what are some of your favorite hobbies/interests outside of art!?

Outside of art? You already have the response! My favorite hobby is to follow my track in yoga. My favorite shows are contemporary dance. My favorite outing is go and see art everywhere but I also like to party and spend time with my friends and family!

Check out more of Gaelle Hintzy-Marcel’s work on her website and her instagram : @gaellehintzysculpture