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17 July to 4 August
Sculpture at the Cloisters of St. Genis
by Ellen Hall
In the intimacy of the cloisters of St. Genis des Fontaine, the imaginations of 13th century sculptors created a series of fanciful men, beasts and plants atop the stone columns. Set against this historical and artistic background, the 11th edition of the Catalan Sculpture symposium will run from 17 July to 4 August.
To promote sculptors living and working in the region, the Lions Club of St Cyprien organises annual exhibitions. The idea for a show devoted exclusively to sculpture originated with Pierre Renard, sculptor and Lions Club member. “For every 60 paintings, only one sculpture is sold”, he told me. “We want to give local artists, without access to the galleries of big urban centres, a chance to be seen.”
The exhibit presents 3 works each by 22 sculptors who live and work in view of the Canigou. Marble from Jau or Baixas is displayed alongside cedar from Lebanon. A chainsaw-cut bear contrasts with a delicate sleeping woman in polished clay. An open-jawed metal shark rouses the same ancient fears as the medieval monsters of the cloisters.
The Lions Club, an international charitable organisation, counts 1200 clubs in France. Each year French Lions clubs donate 20 million euros and one million hours to various social causes, ranging
from children with leukaemia to adults with Alzheimer’s.
Come along and support your local sculptors! They are encouraged to make a donation from their sales, so your purchase will also support a good cause.
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