The Figure by Blake

THE FIGUREGUUUUUURRERRRRRRE

Blake’s sculptures in The Figure collection explore truth, beauty and hope in the human form. The truth is in the vivid depictions of the human spirit in motion captured in timeless works of bronze and marble. The magnificence of Blake’s figures comes through his portrayal of youth in dynamic composition. In this collection, human desire and anticipation are captured in luminous marble and deep patinas of bronze. The result is a provocative study of the joy and sorrow of humanity with an emphasis on the ascetic experience for the viewer.

The Figure sculptures are one-quarter life and life size works. Following the French tradition, each sculpture is available in a limited edition of twelve. The bronze is cast by Venturi Arte, a family foundry in Bologna, Italy. The marble is hand carved by craftsmen in Pietrasanta, Carrara, Italy. The result is work of the highest possible quality.

Blake’s classic work evokes art-historical precedents from the ancient Greeks and Romans to 19th century French sculptors Dalou, Carpeaux and, of course, Rodin.

Introduction

2

Marble Torso 05 The Lovers 06 Lau in Marble 08 L’ Abandon 10 Death on a Pale Horse 12 Lora Marble 14 Flamenco 16 Metamorphosis of Medusa 18 Aurelia 20 Jennifer 22 L’ Enlevement de Proserpine 24 Ectasy 26 Vincent 28

Biography 30 ArtandMethod 30 Exhibitions 31

Contents

3

4

Marble Torso

69 x 42 x 23 cm1990

5

100 x 51 x 40 cm1999

Les Amoureux

6

7

14 x 25 x 102 cm2007

8

Lau in Marble

9

10

20 x 39 x 117 cm

2006

L’ Abandon

11

81 x 66 x 28 cm1989

Death on a Pale Horse

12

13

115 x 31 x 68 cm2006

Lora in Marble

14

100 x 39 x 28 cm2006

Flamenco

17

18

45 x 45 x 38 cm

Metamorphosis of Medusa

19

58 x 29 x 75 cm2007

Aurelia

21

83 x 36 x 20 cm

Jennifer

22

23

93 x 75 x 34 cm2006

L’Enlevement deProserpine

24

25

35 x 39 x 96 cm2007

Ectasy

26

27

28

96 x 90 x 36 cm1989

Vincent

29

Blake is a contemporary sculptor with a studio in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

The artist Blake was born Blake William Ward in Yellowknife, North West Territories, Canada on June 3 1956 and raised in Edmonton. He received an Honours Degree in Fine Art from the University of Alberta in 1979. In 1985, he moved to Paris to study figurative sculpture. In 1991, Blake moved to Monaco and opened the Monte-Carlo studio.

Art & MethodBlake works in clay to produce bronze and marble sculpture that are cast or carved in Italy. There are over 80 different Blake sculptures that are categorized into one of three thematic groups. Traditional Figurative Blake sculpture explores notions of idealized beauty. The Fragments series of dis-figurative work is dedicated to the survivors of landmines, and the Re-Think collection is dedicated to the promotion of human rights.

Biography

30

Solo Exhibitions2010 Fragments, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center, Yellowknife, NT, Canada2010 Burning Buddha, Video Installation, Meta House, Phnom Penh, Cambodia2009 Re-think, DLC Gallery, New York, NY, USA2009 The Figure, Rouge Gallery, Saskatoon, SK, Canada2008 The Figure, Crystal Gallery, Fairmont Monte-Carlo, Monaco2008 Fragments, Saint Ethelburga’s Cathedral, London, UK2008 Fragments, Chelsea Arts Tower, New York, NY, USA2008 Fragments, Canada House Gallery, London, UK2007 Fragments, La Galleria, London, UK2007 Fragments, Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, UK2007 Fragments, Cinema Verite, Monte-Carlo, Monaco2007 Fragments, The Smithfield Gallery, London, UK2007 Fragments, Haberdasher’s Hall, London, UK2003 The Spirit and the Figure, Banque Gothard, Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Group Exhibitions2010 SOFA, Sante Fe, NM, USA2010 The Figure, ArtMonaco’10, Monaco2009 Une Celebration de l’Arte Canadienne, Domaine du Grand Cros, Carnoules, France2009 New Motions of the Figure, ICO Gallery, New York, NY, USA2009 Nude 2009, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY, USA2008 Point Art, GAM Gallery, Monte-Carlo, Monaco2008 Weatherburn Gallery, Naples, Florida, USA2002 Adam and Eve, Hotel de Paris, Monte-Carlo, Monaco1997 Gildo Paster Centre Gallery, Fontvieille, Monaco1996 The Portrait, Museum of Menton, Menton, France1994 Skulpturenpark Herzogin Diane Altshausen Württemberg, Deutschland1993 Galerie du Ruisseau, Paris, France1993 Marie Ferrer Gallery, Winter Park, Florida, USA1993 Festival Des Arts, Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, France1992 Monaco Fine Arts, Monte-Carlo, Monaco1989 Le Genie De La Bastille, Paris, France1979 Graduation Exhibition, University of Alberta Art Gallery, Edmonton, AB, Canada1975 The Canadian Arctic, Arctic Art Gallery, Yellowknife, NT, Canada

Public Installations2005 Faust Grimaldi Forum, L’Association des Amis de l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monaco2005 Breast Plate, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco2000 L’Eveil, Place Du Moulins, Monte-Carlo, Monaco1998 The Messenger, Fontvieille, Monaco1995 1989 Emerging Continents, Fontvieille, Monaco1995 The Bather Public Installation, Monaco1994 Les Atlantes, Fontvieille, Monaco

Exhibitions

31

Blake5 Rue des ViolettesMonte-CarloMonaco 98000

Telephone: + 1 30.62.92.96.48E-mail: [email protected]