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Visitors to Route des Arts
commented about the warm
welcome and beautiful gardens encountered at our studios. One of these
enchanting spots is Clode Pilotte’s
studio and sculpture gardens.
The studio is situated next to a beautiful stream.
The sound of water welcomes the visitor, along with the artist himself who
wholeheartedly lets you share his creative world.
Clode built terraces landscaped with beautiful gardens
and artwork leading to the stream.
Beside the house, there is an open air workshop,
stocked with recycled wood, stone and, scrap-metal of all kinds, pipes,
faucets, springs, car parts, screws, nails of numerous sizes and, of course,
sculptures.
Across the driveway, there is a stand-alone workshop
with Clode’s tools and materials, meticulously sorted and identified. One
can also see the sketches and designs that Clode creates and, samples of his
small sculptures in wood, soapstone and metal.
Here you are introduced to Clode’s dream and fantasy
world. A harbinger of what’s next…an invitation to share the world of
an artist who grew up, yet preserved his child-like wonder at the world, a
real fascination with the imaginary. Love of nature and all
living creatures is the driving force for his creations.
Clode’s sculptures differ in style according to the
material he uses. His wood and stone creations are smooth,
anatomically shaped whether hollowed or rounded off, while his metal
creations are hard-edged, even prickly and, quite humorous.
A
good
example is “Flattez-moi dans le sens du poil”
(Caress my fur …) metal
(rake, butcher’s
hook, table legs, pipes,) 2003.
This prickly-dorsal-fined bird depicts the contradictory world we
live in.
It is as if, when working on a natural material (wood
or soapstone,) Clode has such respect towards mother-nature that he
tends to it with loving care and creates very touchable objects. 
Whereas, man-made material is treated with freedom to
play tricks and laugh.
Walking up a path behind the workshop, one is welcomed
to a wooded land with small clearings that feature a 30-year body of work.
Here one enters a complete new world of imaginary, whimsical creations.
It is so fascinating that one wishes to stay on.
Clode is inspired and in turn inspires us. What a treat for adults and children alike. Clode
sends us dreaming.
Some
of these creatures creep up a tree trunk.
Some are forest guards
and makes one think Star Wars, Dart Vader….. 
Some
sculptures are reminders of pagan gods and goddesses.
Sometimes Clode modifies a sculpture into two new art
objects, as he has done with “Rotondités” (1974,
on the left) the top of
which is now painted red and entitled “Les Boules”
(1974-2001).
The sculpture garden is evolving as Clode Pilotte
continues creating and finding new ways of expression while tending to his
marvellous garden. This year collection featured long-necked/long
legged bizarre imaginary birds, made of scrap metal. I certainly hope
to visit again next year.
