Alain BELLINO

Lignum Ex-Machina

2018

Alain Bellino’s art is not only demonstrative of his extraordinary abilities in the fields of restoration and precision welding, but also evokes a deeper, philosophical discussion.

Some have compared the French artist’s sculptures to vanitas — a symbolic work that centers thematically on death and the ephemeral. While Bellino’s artwork reflects these concepts and he has cited vanitas as inspirations, his intricate pieces — which draw on the Renaissance and can be described as assemblage sculptures — invite viewers to discern their own meaning and experience a personal examination of life and death. 

Bellino learned gold plating and silver plating from his time in his father’s atelier. While he worked for years in the restoration industry, it wasn’t until 2010 that Bellino changed course and expanded into sculpture full-time. Utilizing reclaimed bronze ornaments — including patinated forms rescued from antique flatware, furniture, lighting fixtures and decorative objects — Bellino welds and reassembles, producing a sculptural compendium of both real and imagined creatures. His steampunk-esque figures include dinosaurs, skeletons and insects, or objects such as violins and gas masks.

Bellino exhibited in his hometown of Nice and elsewhere in France, at the Hierro Desvilles art gallery as well as the Joel Guyot Gallery, Gismondi Gallery and the Carnolès Palace Art Museum. His international exhibits include a 2015 show at the Galrie Oxholm in Copenhagen and Gauchet Fine Art in Miami.

On 1stDibs, find original Alain Bellino sculptures.