Elliott Louis Gallery Canadian Fine Art

Kent Laforme  Bio  ·  


Since the birth of civilization Man has expressed and recorded their cultural history by carving stones. My work in stone is a contemporary continuum of this timeless legacy. In our technological society working directly with stone is my connection to the Earth. Creating sculpture is my connection with my Self.


I work exclusively with stones from around the world. I have chosen to dedicate my life to the art of direct stone carving. Since carving my first sculpture in 1992 I have discovered that there is integrity to reductive sculpture that separates its process from the rest of the fine arts. Stone- carving is the foundation of sculpture. I see stones as a congealment of time, a profound dialect in the visual language of sculpture.


My art focuses on the poetic aspects of time and space, form and density. There is an inherent energy possessed in the reality of matter that my sculptures seek to embody in abstract vitality and simplicity. My sculptures present a dialogue between the viewer and the work that offers a context of confrontation between biological time and geological time. This provides insight into the human condition and one’s mortality.


Being half Japanese I certainly identify with the life and work of Isamu Noguchi. I also have deep respect for the work of Brancusi, and Kan Yasuda, although it is Noguchi who is my greatest influence. My work in stone has also been affected by the philosophies and usage of natural stones found in Japanese Zen gardens.




Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Kent Laforme - Rising Sun - click for larger image

Rising Sun
36 x 72 x 12 Inches 
Yellow Sienna marble, fir timber base
$45,600
I began carving this piece in 1994 during my second year in Pietrasanta, Italy. I was twenty –five years old. I view this piece as my first significant click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Rising Sun - click for larger image

Rising Sun
36 x 72 x 12 Inches 
Yellow Sienna marble, fir timber base
$45,600
I began carving this piece in 1994 during my second year in Pietrasanta, Italy. I was twenty –five years old. I view this piece as my first significant click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Within - click for larger image

Within
10 x 9.75 x 8.75 Inches 
black Belgian stone
$7,000
This piece is a metaphor for an internal energy or life force within matter. Isamu Noguchi as well as the shape of a pregnant woman’s belly influences click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Allegory (a little piece of the planet) - click for larger image

Allegory (a little piece of the planet)
9 x 10 x 7.5 Inches 
statuario Italian marble
$5,800
This piece has gone through an evolution of titles. Originally it was called,” A Small piece of the Planet”, as the stone by nature references the Earth. click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Allegory (a little piece of the planet) - click for larger image

Allegory (a little piece of the planet)
9 x 10 x 7.5 Inches 
statuario Italian marble
$5,800
This piece has gone through an evolution of titles. Originally it was called,” A Small piece of the Planet”, as the stone by nature references the Earth. click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Impermeance - Portrait of a Stone - click for larger image

Impermeance - Portrait of a Stone
10 x 10.75 x 10.25 Inches 
black Belgian stone
$7,000
For this piece I wanted to create a portrait of a stone that captures the character and significance of the material. For centuries portraits of significant click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Impermeance - Portrait of a Stone - click for larger image

Impermeance - Portrait of a Stone
10 x 10.75 x 10.25 Inches 
black Belgian stone
$7,000
For this piece I wanted to create a portrait of a stone that captures the character and significance of the material. For centuries portraits of significant click here for more...
Kent Laforme - Oran's Ear - click for larger image

Oran's Ear
18 x 84 x 50 Inches 
Cape Breton marble
$22,000
This piece is a carving of the ocean. It represents a poetic microcosm of the macro relationship between stone and water, the basic reality of the ocean’s click here for more...
Please email the gallery to view more works by Kent Laforme.


Education
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, NS BA:  Fine Arts, 1990-1994 (Degree conferred in 1994)

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, NS Off-Campus Independent Study Program in Pietrasanta, Italy at Studio Leonardi, 1993-1994

John Abbott College, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Québec D.E.C:  Fine Arts, 1987-1990



Commissions
2006- Stone’s Throw Project, Sidney BC
2006 – Oswego Project, Victoria BC
2005 – Atlantic Stone Carving Symposium, Cape Breton, NS
2004 – Cinque Terra Marble Fountain, English Bay, Vancouver, BC
2004 – Custom House Global Foreign Exchange, Trophy for the Canada Rugby Sevens MVP, Victoria, BC



Scholarships
Hong Kong Arts and Development Council, 1998 Title: “1999 Frames of Hong Kong”
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1993 William Peters Scholarship, Memorial Fund
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1992 Centennial Scholarship, Historic Properties Fund



Solo and Group Exhibitions
2005 The Nature of Island Artists - Invitational Exhibition - Goldstream Park, BC
2005 Sidney Fine Art Show -  Juried Exhibition - Vancouver Island, BC
2005 Atlantic Stone Carving Symposium - Cape Breton, NS
2005 Sooke Fine Arts Exhibition - Juried Exhibition - Sooke, BC
2005 Fine Wine Fine Art - Chalet Estate Winery Exhibition – Deep Cove, BC
2004 Sidney Fine Art Show - Juried Exhibition - Vancouver Island, BC
2003 Marble Sculptures - Solo Exhibition - Interlude Spa Halifax, NS
1999 “1999 Frames of Hong Kong” – Two Man Exhibition - Fringe Gallery, Hong Kong
1998 “After Truce” - Three Man Exhibition - Fringe Gallery, Hong Kong
1998 “Between the Like and Unlike” - Group Show/Artist Commune - Hong Kong
1998 “One Concept, Two Artists” – Two Man Exhibition/Artist Commune - Hong Kong
1997 “The Yellow Pages Great Wall” - Juried Group Show - Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
1997 “The Art of Politics: One Country; Two Systems” – Juried Exhibition - Le Mistral Gallery, HongKong
995 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition – Foreign Artists in Italy - La Badia Monastery, Camaiore, Italy
1994 “Mare e Marmo” – Juried Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition - Forte Dei Marmi, Italy
1994 “Echoes and Horizons” – Solo Exhibition - Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
1994 Graduation Exhibition – Nova Scotia College of Art and Design - Halifax, NS
1994 “Mosaic” – Group Show - Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
1992 Peep Show – OO Gallery, Halifax, NS
1990 Graduation Exhibition John Abbott College – Dorval Community Center, Montréal, Québec


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