KOBE
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WHAT MICHEL ESTADES SAYS :
A passionate art dealer with 30 years’ expertise, Michel Estades loves sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for his favourite artists. His 4 galleries permanently exhibit many 20th and 21st-century figurative artists, including the world’s greatest masters, masters from the Provencal and Lyon schools, modern and contemporary masters and a constant flow of talented new painters and sculptors.
Biography
Kobe (Jacques Saelens) – A Sculptor of Elegance and Monumentality (1950-2014)
Born in Kortrijk, Belgium, in 1950, Kobe (artistic name of Jacques Saelens) developed a passion for sculpture at the Saint-Lucas institutes in Ghent and Brussels. His artistic journey led him across the world, from Latin America to Egypt, where he was profoundly inspired by the grandeur of pre-Columbian and ancient Egyptian art. The monumental presence, stylized forms, and timeless elegance of these artistic traditions became integral to his own sculptural language.
By the 1990s, Kobe had developed a distinctive and instantly recognizable style, defined by graceful female figures and powerful, stylized horses. His work achieves a perfect balance between abstraction and figuration, enriched by the serene, timeless essence of ancient civilizations. Every sculpture radiates movement, harmony, and purity – qualities that define the very essence of timeless beauty.
To refine his craft, Kobe settled in Pietrasanta, Italy, where he worked with the finest artisans in bronze and marble. His works now grace prestigious public and private collections worldwide, a testament to his enduring impact on contemporary sculpture.
Kobe’s art goes beyond passing trends, creating timeless beauty that touches the heart. To own a Kobe sculpture is to possess a piece of artistic history. It is an investment in beauty, balance, and mastery that will inspire for generations to come.