Marie Thys Belgian, b. 1954

Marie Thys has always been passionate about animals and their behaviour, and they have become her favourite subject. "Creating to give form to my observations or my emotions is my goal," she says.

Everything begins with observation. To render each animal accurately, she works from real specimens, studying them from every angle until she understands the anatomy beneath the feathers or fur. She then models in clay, solid wax or plaster, choosing the most suitable technique for each subject, before the bronze is cast using the lost-wax process by the Van Geert foundry, one of the finest in Belgium. Each work is limited to an edition of 8, plus 4 artist's proofs.

The result is bronzes of striking realism that never feel cold: each animal keeps its presence and personality. Her sober, elegant patinas extend this realism without ever weighing it down.

Marie Thys exhibited at the Lasne Sculpture Biennial in 2018 and takes part every year in an artists' open-studio trail, welcoming visitors into her studio.

The collaboration between Art Thema and Marie Thys began some fifteen years ago in Brussels. The gallery has access to her entire catalogue and guides each collector in their choice, from small bronzes to life-size pieces. Recent exhibitions with the gallery:

• Since 2023: Fine Art Fair, Wavre, every February
• 2023: Fine Art Fair, Hasselt; Galerie Baldini Art Thema, Arles
• 2023 Printemps des Arts, joint event with Pavillon des Arts and La Bergerie, Carry-le-Rouet
• Occasional presentations at VB Studio Lifestyle, Arles

Would you like to discover her work? We will show it to you by appointment, in Belgium, in the South of France, or in your own home.