Léo Caillard French, b. 1985

Leo Caillard, a Paris-born artist born in 1985, delves into our relationship with time, utilizing a blend of different eras and anachronisms to provoke contemplation on the present in relation to the past. Belonging to a new generation of artists connected to the significant shifts brought about by the digital age and evolving societal concerns since the 2000s, Caillard encourages us to reexamine our current era and history to reimagine our future.

While initially drawn to new technologies and science, particularly time and quantum physics, Caillard eventually transitioned from the world of numbers to express his explorations through art. After graduating from École des Gobelins in 2008, he continued to study art history and practice photography while conducting research in the realms of 3D and new media.

"My perception has always sought to observe the world, unravel its meaning and codes. I initially believed that a systematic understanding through science would provide answers, but in the end, the artistic and conceptual aspects prevailed. I aim to present what we think we know in a different light, challenging our convictions and initiating a dialogue between different time periods. We are at a pivotal moment of sweeping transformations, which necessitates reflecting on our past history."

"We stand 2,000 years apart from our Greco-Roman roots. In the grand scheme of time, detached from our daily engagement with the instantaneous and our own lifetimes, this gap is ultimately inconsequential. Questions surrounding the past, myths, and epics serve as metaphors for the pressing concerns of our time. I endeavor to bring these aspects to the forefront, enabling us to gain a deeper understanding of our world."

Since 2013, Leo Caillard has created numerous sculptures that embody this spirit of intertemporal dialogue. Expanding upon the concept of clothed marble and bronze works through the aesthetics of classic busts, he incorporates contemporary accessories. The series "Hipsters in Bronze" showcases these creations, which have swiftly garnered recognition and found a place in private collections and exhibitions.

In another series, Leo has been exploring new artistic creations centred around the interaction of light with stone. His meticulous and scientific approach is unveiled through poetic and subtle works, where conceptual creation seeks to emphasize the interplay between solid matter and abstract matter: tangible and hollow, solid and quantum.

Leo currently resides and works in Paris, where he continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression and invite viewers to reconsider their relationship with time and history.