I stumbled accross the sculptor Yves Lohe today, while looking for (and not finding) a particular art gallery in Cannes, France. Oddly enough, I noticed his sophisticated and whimsical pieces in a simple “magasin de cadeau” (gift shop). Working in bronze and colored glass, the results are stunning and dream-like. His specialties lie in depicting both the human and animal form and in melding his two mediums so seamlessly. Some of the smaller pieces are very reasonably priced, ranging from 90-300 Euros.
Yves Lohe
Born in 1947 – France
From an early age Yves Lohe’s character of a dreamer and a loner heart led him to grow up being close to nature. As a young man he found refuge in poetry and even wrote plays for the theatre. He had a dream that one day he would be a great writer! He followed the typical education studying law which he interrupted to diverge into teaching. Soon he realized that only sculpting would help him rediscover the emotions of his childhood. In 1972 he gained work experience with Abel Bataillard, the famous Maitre Ferronnier of Pigalle.
In 1947, he resigned from teaching and devoted himself to sculpting with iron – the material of which he made his first work. He began in the exhibitions of Paris titled “Independent French Artists”. Under the title of “iron hands” he made around 80 sculptures of hands, hand stokes, and fists which represented the cries of his lust for life. Later came his “thin” figures, expression of the body, the study of forms and attitudes that were his principal sources of inspiration, covering various themes such as dance, music, and everyday folk in the street. Little by little, the forms of the sculpture became softer. Lohe made monumental sculptures for the towns and villages in the North and East of France. He also made three works on the theme of “bicycle” and its different aspects – race, leisure and cross country. In 1979, Lohe built a bronze workshop and left his iron sculpture behind him. He presented his works through national and international exhibitions which gave him exposure on the most promising podiums of Switzerland, Belgium Japan, Taiwan Australia, USA, Arab Emirates, etc.
In 1991 his meeting with Werner Manesse, Maitre Verrier, gave him the opportunity to realize another dream: working with glass from its transparency to its color. Werner taught him the alphabet of glass, a vocabulary which would allow him to add the magic touch of light to the form and material, and therefore, to create his own poetry.
Yves Lohe created his own glass workshop. He quickly became acquainted with this new material and developed his own way of working with glass and bronze – a style which gives uniqueness to each piece of work. What is special about Lohe is the integrity of his work; his continual reflection on the harmony of color and movement. Each sculpture not only captures the eye but also awakens feelings in each observer. Yves Lohe does not give you a speech on his art. He is not the type to upset the balance. For him the most important thing is the opinion of the observer. From this is born a complicit relationship between the Artiste and the observer of his work.
We are abot to open a Gallery, can you please tell us we can obtain some of Yves work please or any further information, Many thanks.
I had the marvellous oppertunity to see your amazing sculptures.I simply fell in love with your Ducks.I was all ready to bring them home with me to INDIA.I got a little scared that they may get damaged enroute.
I have promissed myself a trip back to Brugge just to get some of those sculptures.
Take care.
Warm Regards
Manjula Singh
Hi –
Last month we discover some Yves Lohe art in a gallery in Brugge, Belgium. We saw one piece we liked, but it was not a perfect fit. It was a glass and bronze sculpture of a man on a bicycle. We like the concept, but since we were spending the early summer in Amsterdam, we preferred a traditional Dutch bicycle (Oma style) instead of a racing-type bycycle. Is there anything like this in the portfolio? Can one be commissioned?
Thanks
I am selling one of the most beautifull Yves Lohe’s works:a man with the bird ( papagallo). If you would like to seethe sculpture ,pls inform , I can send you scaned photo.
Best regards
Zeljka Zagrovic
magdaleniceva, 1.
velika gorica
Croatia
tel 00385 1 6226952
Dear sir, we are in process of opening an art gallery, we would like to display some of your work and we have already been imported some of your sculptures which was a big succes, now we would like to place another order with you for the purpose we would like to see your latest catlg. or your webaddress where i can see and chose items for my art gallery. so you could send me a proforma invoice for immediate money transfer.
Will appreciate your soonest reply.
Regards,
Majid
for Ornate Interiors and Art collections…
Hi there, I bought a piece of his work from a very small Lohe shop in St Malo of all places. They had a very large quantity of his work – I think it was all Lohe to be honest and I have a feeling he uses it to exhibit as well as sell from the one place.