Pollès:

An Incredible Encounter with the sculptor Pollès

Widely recognised as the inventor of organic cubism, Pollès has created his own private laboratory for the creation of his singular sculptures.

In this episode, we invite you to watch a special video interview with Pollès and enjoy a rare glimpse inside his home and workshops.

Paris-born Pollès, inspired by the female form, was fascinated by anatomy from an early age. He first studied medicine before ultimately dedicating himself to art.

Sarah had long admired the monumental abstract nudes in Pollès’ garden, and wrote to ask him for an interview. He agreed to meet to discuss. Gail Skoff the photographer came too and despite his reputation for privacy Pollès was very generous with his time and we agreed we might do a video interview in the future.

Months later, while Mike and Sarah were sharing a drink at the Cro, an unexpected video call popped up on Sarah’s phone. It was Pollès to say that he had uncovered his sculptures (usually protected with plastic sheets against deposits from resident bats) and if we were free to come over right now, we would be welcome to film a short video. We grabbed our equipment, rushed over, and this joyful video trip inside his world is the result. We hope you enjoy it as much as we loved making it. We are happy to share it with you below.

Polles settled in his beautiful home in 1970, with his late companion the artist Alexandra de Lazareff. It was an old olive mill in the sight line of Sant’Anna di Stazzema, a mountain village where a horrific Nazi atrocity took 560 lives in August 1944.  He tells us how he found bones inside the building when he arrived, and what he did with his own hands to make the place his home.

Pollès invites us inside to explore his workshops, starting in a room with enlarging machinery he invented twenty-five years ago, before the widespread use of the computer. In the next room there’s a neat line of brushes hung from pegs and pots of powder for creating the many patinas for which his work is well known.

We set off breathlessly after Pollès’ spry figure, weaving through corridors lined with wine bottles, round tight corners and down steep stone steps, until we are speechless with wonder. Finally we reach his foundry with ingenious hoists that he has created with his sharp mind which blends artistic talent with technical ingenuity.

Up a steep staircase we find his gallery where we can touch some of his work which is mainly cast in bronze and finished in bright patinas.

Bookcases crammed with poetry, an immaculate kitchen with a lit menorah, heated plates keeping his guests’ pasta warm. Pollès is a remarkable man - intelligent, creative, and generous in his hospitality. It was a true honour to be welcomed into his home.

polles-sculpture.com

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