‘Pole to Pole’ close to the finishing post

TLC Honours student Sebastien Jaunas is a French abstract sculptor who uses mixed media, forged steel, ceramic, bronze and wood to create poetic, architectural forms. 

He currently resides in Paekakariki on the Kapiti coast of New Zealand. Whilst working in Paris he met his wife and decided to move here to New Zealand. He uses mixed media to create beautiful forms that explore space, movement and equilibrium. His latest creation has just been announced as a finalist in the Annual Wallace Art Awards 2016.

Sebastien’s entry in the Annual Wallace Art Awards 2016:

Artist's description:“The inspiration for this piece comes from my move from the northern hemisphere to New Zealand in the southern hemisphere, hence the title Pole to Pole. It explores equilibrium and balance and magnetic opposites.  It references the New Zealand landscape, islands, earthquakes, and the movement of the earth. It is also references environmental issues, specifically climate change and the melting of icebergs. The plywood for this sculpture is stacked in layers to create horizontal lines that oppose the vertical axis of the whole structure. In the same process, the magnets are used as opposing forces that represent the opposing forces of the northern and southern poles. The opposition creates movement which gradually settles into a place of stillness, reflecting the idea that although we may have opposing forces pushing us in different directions, we eventually find equilibrium.”

Sebastien’s career to-date has seen his work featured several times in the NZ Art Show, exhibited at the Zimmerman Contemporary Art Gallery, shown at the Paekakariki Community Trust Art Show, on the Kapiti Arts Trail and displayed at Odlins Gallery in Lower Hutt.

Other work by Sebastien:

Unknown II ©2014 Forged Steel
(87h x 80 x 60 cm)

Cloudburst ©2016 Forged steel, ebonised wood, lead
(99 x 63 x12 cm)
SOLD

Left: Moonlight on a Dark Sea ©2016 Forged steel, ebonised wood
(126 x 19 x 20 cm)
SOLD

Right: Last Drops ©2016 Forged steel, stone, ebonised wood
(77 x 11 x 20 cm)

To view more of Sebastien’s sculpture, visit: www.sebastienjaunas.com

Sebastien says that he wants to enter more art competitions. He believes that it is important to show your work and get your name out there – “To show people what I’m doing”. He credits The Learning Connexion’s excellent studio facilities as a great space in which to work.

At The Learning Connexion, Sebastien is studying Hot Arts with tutor Dennis Berdinner and Mixed Media with tutor Mel Ford, who has also placed as a finalist in the Annual Wallace Art awards 2016.

“I never sold anything before TLC. With their schooling I got great feedback from my tutors and they helped me progress to a stronger focus on metal work.”

To become a professional artist (with potential to create award winning work), study creativity and art at The Learning Connexion. Request a prospectus to find out more.