History of Modern Sculpture

Modern sculpture arose symbiotically with similar artistic trends in painting and drawing in Europe during the 1800s, lasting until around 1950. It is widely considered to have begun with the work of the French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), who is the forefather of the movement. Rodin is credited with ushering in a new approach and subject matter to the creation of sculpture.

Rodin's work signified a departure from the traditional themes of mythology and allegory prevalent during his time, and instead modeled the human body with intense realism, celebrating the individual character, psychological states, and physicality of his subjects.  The Rodin exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle ("world's fair") is widely believed to be the precise beginning of the modern sculptural movement.

He is known for turning away from the idealized traditions of the Greeks and decorative beauty of the Baroque and Neo-Baroque movements, thereby departing with centuries of tradition. Sculptural movements that developed as a result of Modernism include:  Art Nouveau, Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, De Stijl, Suprematism, Constructivism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Futurism, Formalism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop-Art and Minimalism among others.

Fast forward approximately 100 years and the expressionist sculptures of JJ Porret are a dissension of the great Rodin. Visit his site to view a sampling of his modern sculpture creations.

Understanding Abstract Art

To each pair of eyes, abstract art takes on its own meaning. What one sees when they view an abstract sculpture is completely subjective and can be totally different from that of another. It too means that the emotions, feelings and connection felt with an abstract sculpture varies from person to person. Yet, that, that is the beauty of art, particularly in the abstract variety.  

 When viewing a piece of abstract art, a person is inclined to solve the riddle of what it is about. Each artist has a starting point that is the source, or inspiration, behind the work. The first indication to help you understand what an abstract painting or sculpture is about is the creations title. The name behind the art piece will more than likely give you a clue. However, it won’t take you very far - unless you’re willing to think more creatively. 

What does the piece prompt you to think about? How does what you’re looking at make you feel? These are all sure-fire starting points. Begin with asking yourself these kinds of questions and you’ll find the answers a lot less mysterious.

Abstract sculptures and art allow the creator to interpret a subject freely and uniquely, using a visual language of shapes, forms, lines and colors to interpret a subject-matter, without necessarily providing the viewer with a recognizable visual reference point. This holds true for JJPorret, as well. The uniqueness of JJ’s artistry is his strong individuality mixed with tremendous sensitivity that make his abstract sculptures truly one-of-a-kind. View his outdoor sculpture gallery for a preview of some of this tremendous works.

An Experience To Remember

Blending the familiar and the unknown to create truly captivated pieces of artwork, JJ Porret’s sculptures are a masterpiece to behold! Specializing in the lost wax technique of casting bronze, his creations are a surrealistic view of the human form blended with abstract shapes.

Porret represents people in the abstract, one form softly melting into the next. On some pieces there are fragments of granite or marble jutting and piercing through the bronzes, blending the forces of nature and man, creating a stunningly modernistic and seductive interpretation of the human form.

In recent years, as Porret has evolved as an artist, he has incorporated marble and granite into his bronze and metal sculptures. Dissatisfied with the quality of the sculpturing bases, he bought a granite and marble company in order to have complete control in their creation. From top to bottom, every statue from Porret has his distinct touch. 

Today, Jean-Jacques bronze and metal sculptures can be seen in innumerable collections around the world, including Europe, Japan and the United States. Seeing one in person is a truly spiritual and uplifting experience and one you not soon forget. To learn more about the artist and to preview his many magnification creations, visit his website today.

Jean-Jacques Porret: The Artist

Swiss-born, Jean-Jacques Porret is a self-taught artist and sculptor specializing in the lost wax technique of casting bronze sculptures. He began his journey to the arts and America after acquiring a degree in engineering. Upon graduation, Porret moved to New York, anxious to learn English and build a life for himself. That transformation put his career in motion and led him to Chicago, Illinois. 

From the start Porret was drawn to and learned the technique of bronze and lost wax casting. Bronze primarily interested him, “because it is the most demanding material which is responsive and sweet to the touch.” 

It is said that Jean-Jacques is an independent thinker, whose sculptures can be described as a naturalist, modern blend, in which forms are simplified to their essential rhythms and elements. But, above all else, Porret is a true artist who uses his skill and craftsmanship to evoke emotions and stimulate sensations. 

Today, Porret’s bronzes can be seen in innumerable collections throughout Europe, Japan and the United States. He was also commissioned to create the bronze sculpture for the American-Swiss Friendship Award.

Working within the boundaries of his imagination, Porret blends the familiar and the unknown, each contour leading to the next, creating a self-styled harmony that he terms "rhythm in space".

The uniqueness of JJ’s artistry is his strong individuality mixed with tremendous sensitivity that make his word truly one-of-a-kind. Learn more about his individual and sensitive artwork by visiting his website today or placing an order for his book, Sculptures in Bronze.

Making Metal Sculptures Using the Lost Wax Casting Process

When JJ Porret makes his unique metal sculptures, he uses the lost wax casting process. With this method, he is able to build to take a simple idea and bring it to life using an otherwise hard to work with metal. Take a look at how the process works!

First of all, JJ creates the original sculpture using clay. Once the sculpture is complete, he then creates a negative mold out of plaster. Once the shell has dried, it is divided into two parts, cleaned, greased and then rubber is poured between the outer plaster shell and the original sculpture, forming a negative mold.  The shell is then filled with wax to create a wax copy of the sculpture. The wax copy is retouched heated metal sculptural tools to prevent any imperfections coming through. Gates and vents are then attached to the sculpture to help the molten bronze flow into the cavity and let air escape.

Once everything has been prepared, the wax copy is encased in a mixture of ceramic sand and placed in an oven to make a ceramic shell. The wax melts away and is then filled with molten bronze, filling the space where the wax was lost, hence the name. Once everything has been retouched, cleaned, and colored, the sculpture is complete!