Thierry Emond (1963) - Souffle Bronze cuivré

The work 'Souffle' by Thierry Emond, a unique piece measuring 44x13x15 cm, is a powerful meditation on dynamics and balance, playing on the paradox between raw material and the lightness of movement.
Made of patinated zinc, the sculpture exploits the intrinsic duality of this metal. The artist manipulates the zinc sheet to transform it into volumes that may appear massive, giving the work a tangible robustness, enhanced by the dark patina. This waxed finish acts as a protective barrier while accentuating the reliefs and the chromatic richness of the surface.
Yet, far from being static, 'Souffle' seems to be animated by kinetic energy. The dynamic assembly of suspended rectangular plates creates an illusion of rupture and aerial lightness. Each metal panel appears to have been captured at the very moment an invisible force—be it a gust of wind or the simple flow of time—had blown it out of its axis. The whole is held in a delicate and fascinating balance, transforming the metal, both resistant and malleable, into a lively and dynamic artistic gesture.
It is in this unlikely suspension, where the resistance of the metal is put at the service of an airy and organic composition, that the poetic strength of « Breath » resides: a work of art that materializes the immaterial—the movement and balance—with the density and elegance of zinc.

Thierry Emond, known by the artistic name ITI Atelier, is a French sculptor and artisan of Art born in 1963. This self-taught artist has developed technical mastery of traditional materials such as copper, lead, tin, and wood.
His work is distinguished by a particular focus on Zinc. This unique metal, the third most elaborated transition metal by humans after iron and copper, represents a unique field of expression for him. Thierry Emond explores the force and mechanical resistance relationship inherent to Zinc, transforming its apparent solidity into real malleability. Through sophisticated formatting and assembly methods, he manages to bring this material to life and dynamism, sculpting it into sheets and then into volumes with a massive aesthetic.
The artistic approach of ITI Atelier is rooted in a childhood passion for designing and creating objects. Each creation is a staging of its inspirations, reflecting a strong taste for technical challenge and the material's challenge. The artist excels in the art of transforming raw material into a work, sometimes intervening to restore and restore their power to endangered works of art.
In the intimacy of his workshop, each piece is handcrafted, making his sculpture a subtle marriage of technical rigor, artistic elegance, and exceptional craftsmanship.