Renowned sculptor Valérie Goutard – known as Val – (1967 - 2016) was a so-called "citizen of the world".

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Born in France, she grew up in Africa, lived in Europe, South America before settling down in Thailand. This is why Val fits perfectly within the ArttravelS portfolio of artists, which motto is “Travelling through art”.

 

Her passion for the “art of sculpting” was always part of her inner self, but the defining moment came in 2002 when a friend introduced her to it. Val’s independent, instinctive, and intuitive features of character make it nearly impossible to label her art.

Indeed, she was a true lover of freedom and took pleasure in exploring different mediums (mainly bronze, and at times combining glass and bronze…), sentimental and cultural values.

The simple act of modelling a piece of clay into a figurative or abstract form from nothingness was a true catalyst for Val. And despite being made from such weighty materials as bronze, her artworks boast a certain weightlessness, a sense of free movement and delicate balance. 

 

Since 2004, her works have been exhibited or purchased by galleries and museums in Singapore, the US, France, England, China, South Korea and Taiwan where Val created the world largest contemporary bronze sculpture “Du chaos à la sagesse” (“From chaos to wisdom”), a 36-meter-long artwork installed on the hills overlooking the town of Taichung (180km South of Taipei).   

Yet, despite all the worldwide acclaim, Val remained firmly rooted in Thailand. And mainly because the country offers, still today, many world-class bronze-casting foundries.

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Val has left her mark on Thailand, especially in Bangkok where some of her outdoor sculptures can be spotted in the city. Moreover, one of Val’s most ambitious installations - "Ocean Utopia" (2016) – lies under the sea, off the coast of Koh Tao. Val wanted to be part of regenerating coral reefs with art!

A very inspiring project forever preserving her legacy…