OLIVIER BERTRAND
Biography
Olivier Bertrand was born in 1975 in Marseille, to a French father and a Chinese mother. From a very early age, he developed a passion for drawing and the visual arts, and more particularly for origami, which taught him to grasp the power of a fold and the subtlety of volumes. After studying economics, he finally turned to a career as a web designer. Fifteen years later, a period of convalescence gave him the opportunity to reconnect with his first love. Although he no longer folds paper, the guiding principle remains the same: to transform cardboard.
Through his figurative creations, Olivier Bertrand captures the expression and movement of his subjects. Nourished by his Asian heritage and a deep immersion in Far Eastern culture, he draws his inspiration from the forms, stories and philosophy of this universe. His taste for origami is reflected in his sculptures with their clean lines and dynamic structures, which recall the fluidity of Asian artistic traditions. The influence of manga and Japanese legends can also be found in his imagination. His works, particularly those featuring samurai, reflect a subtle balance between power and introspection. This dialogue between material and gesture gives his works a rare intensity, combining the elegance of the past with the expressive force of the present.
Olivier Bertrand assembles pieces of cardboard, which he appreciates for its lightness, flexibility and ability to give life to works. He selects cardboard of different thicknesses: the strongest are used to build the framework of his works, designed as meticulous interlocking games. Some pieces incorporate metal rods to reinforce stability. Finally, each creation is consolidated with a fireproof treatment and protected with a transparent epoxy resin to ensure its durability.
