A sculptural study of the female form in a contemporary key
French artist Etienne Gros transforms foam into voluminous figures that echo classical sculpture, with clear references to the Venus de Milo. His series Les Mousses reinterprets the human form through the malleability of the material, achieving a balance between abstraction and figurative recognition.
Despite its apparent simplicity, these pieces require remarkable technical precision, where foam is folded and shaped to create volumes that suggest physical presence without the need for hyperrealistic details.
The nude figure as the core of his work
Gros’ work follows a long artistic tradition of studying the nude, exploring its volumes and tensions. However, he does so in an unconventional way, using soft materials instead of marble or bronze. This choice highlights the relationship between fragility and permanence—opposing concepts that coexist in his production.
Unlike other sculptors working with the nude, Gros focuses on texture and material flexibility to redefine the perception of the body in contemporary art. His minimalist approach allows the viewer to mentally complete the absent details, creating an active interaction with the artwork.
An artist pushing material boundaries
Gros’ work stands out for its constant experimentation with unconventional materials. While foam is his most iconic medium, his practice also includes drawing and painting, always with the human body as the central theme. His work raises questions about representation and materiality in contemporary art, placing him in a space where tradition and innovation engage in a fluid dialogue.
