The second edition of the Sculpture Symposium has transformed the historic Zévallos plantation in Le Moule into a vibrant outdoor art studio, where established sculptors and curious young hands work side by side in the heart of Guadeloupe's natural landscape. Organized by the ARTKWI association, the symposium offers visitors an immersive artistic experience that runs until December 21, 2025, taking place both in the Zévallos plantation park and at the Ouatibi-tibi archaeological site.
Visitors can witness the live creation of monumental works carved from both wood and stone, providing a unique opportunity to observe the artistic process as it unfolds. The symposium's innovative approach allows the public to engage directly with art in progress, creating an interactive cultural experience that bridges the gap between artists and their audience.
Among the symposium's most captivating features are the sculpture workshops designed specifically for children, which have drawn considerable attention from families and educators alike. Thomas Petit, a plastic artist collaborating with the Love Generation association, guides young participants through the fundamentals of sculpture, teaching them how to properly hold a mallet, control their strength, and develop a tactile relationship with their materials.
"It's a bit hard, but that's good," remarked one young participant, fully concentrated on making his first chisel strike. Petit appreciates the spontaneity and attentiveness that children bring to the craft, noting with a smile, "Sometimes it's easier than working with adults." These workshops serve as a vital component of the symposium's mission to pass on traditional sculpting techniques to the next generation.
The artist residency program forms another cornerstone of the symposium, with participating artists tackling imposing blocks of stone and wood in full view of the public. Cédrick Boucard, a plastic artist, is attempting stone sculpture for the first time during his residency, highlighting the physical demands of the medium. "You have to remove from the mass – that's where all the difficulty lies," he explained, emphasizing the subtractive nature of stone carving.
Nearby, artist Kafé Bétian works with a chainsaw to sculpt wood, pursuing his ambitious vision of creating "a door to the future." These diverse approaches to sculpture demonstrate the range of techniques and artistic philosophies represented at the symposium, each artist bringing their unique perspective to the shared creative space.
This year's thematic focus, "gardens of diversity," serves as a guiding principle for the artists' reflections and forms, encouraging exploration of cultural plurality and natural abundance. François Piquet, both an artist and organizer of the symposium, emphasizes that the event's primary goal extends beyond mere artistic creation to pushing creators beyond their comfort zones.
"The symposium offers the possibility of working with formats or materials that are usually inaccessible," Piquet explained, highlighting how the residency format enables artists to experiment with scales and techniques that might be impractical in their regular studio practice. This opportunity for artistic experimentation has proven particularly valuable for participants seeking to expand their creative horizons.
The sculptures created during the previous edition of the symposium now serve as permanent installations, demonstrating the lasting cultural impact of the project. These completed works have become part of the local artistic landscape, enriching the cultural heritage of Le Moule and providing ongoing inspiration for both residents and visitors.
The current symposium invites the public to discover art creation in real-time and to wander among the emerging works that will tomorrow enhance Le Moule's artistic heritage. This unique blend of cultural tourism, educational outreach, and artistic production positions the Sculpture Symposium as a significant contributor to Guadeloupe's cultural landscape, fostering both local artistic development and international cultural exchange through the residency program.
