Les Vieux Camarades

About Les Vieux Camarades

This contemporary figurative table top sculpture is by Paul Duval.

Early in his career, Paul Duval was first inspired to pursue sculpture while working in bronze during a sojourn in Africa. He has long been captivated by the seemingly infinite possibilities offered by creating sculptures that represent the human form. This is one of a series of charming indoor sculptures that showcases the Quebec artist’s skill in capturing the human ‘condition’ using simple shapes. Each clay coloured paper mache and wire sculpture possesses a distinctive personality expressed in a pose, a gesture, a mood. In this piece, two male figures sit beside one another, their heads turned as if engaged in conversation. A rock acts as a platform, adding natural texture and colour. The title means ‘old comrades’ in French.

“I now use pulp as it allows me the pleasure and latitude of creating and setting free my inspiration. The paper stock is applied in layers, so I can work on the evolution of several of my pieces simultaneously. An addition of coloured paper sometimes enhances the grey of my favourite material. This medium brings out attitudes, emotions, group relations or even wounds. In a word, I think my work represents and distinguishes humans with a capital ‘H’.” Paul Duval

Paul Duval is a member of the Canadian Sculptors Society and of the Conseil de la sculpture du Québec. He studied Monumental Sculpture at Université de Rimouski, casting at Maison des métiers d’art, Québec, and soldering at Cimic, Saint-Georges, Québec. In addition to his full-time work as an artist, Duval is Technical Director, Symposium international de la sculpture, Beauce-Art, in Saint Georges De Beauce, Québec. Duval’s sculptures, including commissions, are in private and public collections in Canada and France.