J’ATTENDS is an original bronze sculpture by
Bruno Catalano, part of his celebrated
Les Voyageurs series, which has become one of the most recognizable bodies of work in contemporary sculpture.
With this piece, Bruno Catalano offers a particularly intimate interpretation of his artistic universe: the figure is a self-portrait of the artist himself. The sculpture features the fragmented, torn silhouette that has become Catalano’s unmistakable signature, alongside the suitcases that recur throughout his work, brought together here in a deeply introspective composition. Seated in a contemplative posture, the figure appears absorbed in a moment of pause and reflection. Unlike the Voyageurs captured in movement or departure, J’ATTENDS evokes stillness, waiting and that suspended moment in which one is invited to turn inward.
Inscribed on the pedestal are the words “Souriez, vous êtes vivants” : “Smile, you are alive”. Both simple and essential, the phrase becomes an invitation to reflection. It creates a striking contrast with the fragmented body, reminding us that beyond absence, separation and loss, life itself remains.
The suitcases accompanying the sculpture are another fundamental element of Bruno Catalano’s visual language. Their meticulously worked patina recreates the appearance and texture of genuine leather with remarkable realism. Independent from the figure, the suitcases can be repositioned, offering a degree of freedom in the presentation of the sculpture and allowing each collector to create a personal relationship between the figure, the luggage and the surrounding space.
The polychrome bronze, precision of the details and richness of the patinas reflect the exceptional craftsmanship characteristic of Bruno Catalano’s sculptures. Fragmentation, luggage, travel and memory remain at the heart of the work, yet here they are approached from a more personal perspective: that of an artist who seems, for a moment, to interrupt his own journey and contemplate the path already travelled.
J’ATTENDS therefore offers an especially personal interpretation of Bruno Catalano’s artistic universe: a silent self-portrait suspended between waiting, memory and introspection, in which the emblematic elements of Les Voyageurs take on a new dimension.
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