Artist Marie-Jo Monnet is showcasing her extensive collection of animal sculptures at Galerie Médicis in Besançon, featuring everything from wolves and foxes to weasels and other wildlife creatures. Since retiring a few years ago, Monnet has been able to dedicate herself entirely to her artistic passion, drawing inspiration from animals she discovers in stud farms, agricultural shows, fields, farms, and in nature.
Monnet's signature pieces are her Comtois horses made from terracotta, crafted using three colors of stoneware: orange, black, and beige. Through the transformative magic of fire, these clay sculptures develop beautiful coats in shades of fawn, blonde, or jet black. After being shaped by the artist's skilled hands, the horses become almost lifelike in their expressiveness, appearing to prance joyfully with manes flowing in the wind and rumps raised high. Viewers can sense the power of these animals, and it is these horse sculptures that have established Marie-Jo's artistic reputation.
The exhibition has expanded beyond horses to include a diverse menagerie of regional wildlife and farm animals. Visitors will find Montbéliarde cows, donkeys, owls and barn owls, hedgehogs, badgers, and foxes among the displayed works. Particularly notable is her sculpture of the lynx, which Monnet considers both beautiful and threatened. All these beloved animals come to life through Marie-Jo's expert hands, creating works that bring great pleasure to viewers and make perfect Christmas gifts to place under the tree.
The exhibition is being held at Galerie Médicis, located at 9 Place Victor Hugo in Besançon. The gallery can be reached at 03 81 82 85 85, and more information is available at galerie.medicis@wanadoo.fr and www.galeriemedicis.com. The opening reception will take place on November 29th starting at 4:00 PM, with the artist in attendance. During December, the gallery will be open on Sundays and Mondays from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
