ANOMAL: Quentin Garel Solo Exhibition

Cuturi Gallery is proud to present Anomal - the second solo exhibition in Singapore, by French artist Quentin Garel (b. 1975). In Anomal, Garel invites us to celebrate idiosyncrasies through his momentous and intimate sculptures. The title of the exhibition gives reference to abnormality and originates from the Greek word “anômalos'', meaning unequal or irregular. 

A sculptor of more than 20 years, an integral part of Garel’s practice revolves around pushing his creative boundaries and evolving as an artist. Inspired by the animal kingdom, Garel employs his craftsmanship to transform elements such as wood, bronze and cast iron into animal sculptures. The overarching animalia theme presents an endless variety of shapes and forms, constantly challenging Garel’s sculptural finesse. Through his unique creations, Garel gives alternative perspectives of interpreting his work.

Anomal flaunts a collection of new sculptural works by Garel such as the Ursus (2020) and the Lion (2021), while revisiting iconic pieces from his first solo show, Anima Artificialis. Garel constructs his hyper-realistic sculptures as caricatures of animals, skilfully manipulating selected features to project his own innovations. This includes Mask of the Baboon (2017), where the face of a baboon is seen isolated from the rest of its body. The menagerie of intricately carved animal busts delicately encompasses both wonderment and satire. From a contrasting viewpoint, Anomal astutely critiques the triviality of man’s fixation on dominance over the natural world. 

While communicating the power differential between humans and animals, Garel’s work showcases a perfect harmony between abnormality and execution. Dramatic choices in scale, from an astounding two-meter-long crocodile skull - Crocodilus (2018) to exaggerated goldfish eyes - Poisson Telescope (2020), are dealt with careful precision to create convincing sculptures of palaeontology and taxidermy. Within the backdrop of these sculptures are Garel’s elaborate charcoal sketches, Palimpsest I and Palimpsest II (2017), which grant a glimpse into the preliminary visions of his oeuvre. Garel further demonstrates his expert ability to forge synergy between contrasting materials in his sculptures.

A charming display of technique, the unassuming wood grain of Garel’s sculptures are in fact made of bronze, as seen in Baby Elephant (2017). The internationally renowned draftsman faithfully replicates the organic textures of wood onto bronze through a meticulous process of concept drawings, wood carving, mould making, and finally, bronze casting. Beyond wood, Garel also works with polystyrene to seamlessly create the lifelike texture of an octopus’ skin in Tentacule III (2020), before casting it in bronze and embellishing the sculpture with blue patinas. Ultimately, Garel’s ingeniousness gives warmth and character to his signature bronze sculptures that document and immortalise the finite existence of real and imagined species.

Exclusive to Anomal, the monumental Gorille VIII (2021) carved in wood and subsequently cast in bronze, Gorille VIII (2021), are installed adjacent to each other, commanding viewers to pause and critically examine the sculptures before making a distinction between the two seemingly identical primate masks. This break in momentum allows for audiences to contemplate their realities and role in a burgeoning era of animal rights causes and environmental activism. 

Characterised by a collection of realistic zoological sculptures that defy normalcy in scale, material, and form, Anomal is an exhibition of craftsmanship that playfully challenges the status of our relationship with nature.

Quentin Garel graduated from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts, Paris, in 1998, and was a scholarship recipient at the Art Institute of Chicago. Subsequently, Garel held a 2-year residency at Casa Velasquez, Madrid. He has since been commissioned for numerous public works, including a series of bronze animal busts for the Public Gardens in Lille and Tour Carpe Diem in Paris. Garel’s sculptures have been exhibited in the National Museum of Natural History as well as the Galleries of Comparative Anatomy and Palaeontology in Paris. Garel’s works have also earned permanent spots in several major collections including the Rouen Regional Centre of Knowledge and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Verona, Italy. Garel holds several noteworthy art awards in addition to the Academy of Fine Arts, Paris, Drawing Prize in 2003, and the Salon de Mai, Paris, Sculpture Award in 2004.

Anomal will be on view at Cuturi Gallery from 19 June to 11 July 2021.

Download Exhibition Catalogue Here