Olivier Bertrand is a contemporary Belgian sculptor known for his innovative approach to form, space and matter. His work is often inspired by the classical tradition of sculpture, but is characterised by a contemporary vision that connects the past and the future. He is known for his refined technique, his deep attention to detail and his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through sculptural forms.
Olivier Bertrand was born in Brussels on 15 January 1973. From a young age, he was fascinated by the physical and visual properties of materials and forms. As a child, he spent a lot of time in nature, where he developed a great admiration for the natural forms of rocks, trees and plants, which would later become an important source of inspiration for his work.
After graduating from high school, Bertrand decided to further develop his passion for sculpture by following a formal training at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. Here he discovered his affinity for both traditional and experimental sculptural techniques, which led to a broader understanding of the possibilities of sculptural art. Over the years he expanded his knowledge by working with different materials, including marble, bronze, wood and glass.
Olivier Bertrand's work is both figurative and abstract, often focusing on the human form, movement and expression. His sculptures seem almost alive, with an intense emotion expressed in the way the forms interact with each other. This is enhanced by his use of rich textures and subtle finishes.
His work is recognisable by the clean lines and detailed finish, often making the sculptures seem to have their own dynamism. One of his signature techniques is the use of contrasts in materials and finishes, for example combining the rough texture of a stone sculpture with the smooth surface of a polished bronze piece. This gives his sculptures a sense of duality, in which the hard and soft, the living and the dead aspects of life come together.
Bertrand has had several solo and group exhibitions in Belgium and internationally. His work can be found in prestigious galleries and museums, and he has been commissioned for public artworks in several cities. His sculptures are often praised for their power and subtlety, and are considered a modern reinterpretation of classical sculpture.
The themes in Bertrand's work are varied, but often revolve around the human experience. From emotions such as love, pain and loss to more abstract concepts such as the transience of time and the relationship between man and his environment, his sculptures contain a depth that invites reflection. He is often inspired by the philosophies of existentialism and nature, as well as the works of great classical sculptors such as Michelangelo and Rodin, but he incorporates these influences in a way that fully reflects his own style.
Nature plays a central role in much of his work. Bertrand is fascinated by the way nature shapes and changes itself, and this can be seen in the organic forms he creates. His sculptures can therefore feel both mechanical and organic, blurring the boundaries between the artificial and the natural.
