Léo CAILLARD
"The Past – The Present – The Future"
Léo Caillard is a singular sculptor who engages in dialogue with space-time through art. Mastering the most refined classical techniques, he carves marble to create a sensitive bridge between ancient heritage and contemporary modernity.
The PAST
Léo Caillard makes marble his material of choice. This historical medium of art since Antiquity regains its nobility under his chisel, in a resolutely contemporary approach nourished by ancient and classical influences. Finesse and elegance characterize this renaissance of traditional sculpture.
The PRESENT
A rising figure on the international art scene, Léo Caillard regularly exhibits his works in France and abroad. He creates monumental pieces for various public and private commissions, establishing his place in the contemporary artistic landscape.
His unique approach, blending classical manual techniques with modern tools, leads to regular invitations to share his artistic vision and understanding of today's art challenges.
The FUTURE
A pioneer of new artistic forms, Léo Caillard has been collaborating since 2015 with research around generative AI. Since 2021, he has emerged as one of the major digital artists, perfectly mastering blockchain technology and its technical specificities.
Biography
The histories of science have always fascinated Léo Caillard. From archaeology to anthropology, the artist is captivated by human evolution and the passage of time. Mindful of humanity’s fleeting presence on Earth, Caillard explores the impact of history on our contemporary moment. As he states, he “looks at history to reimagine our current society.” After studying Digital Photography at Les Gobelins in Paris, Caillard created his breakthrough photographic series Hipsters in Stone in 2013. Inspired by the style of New Yorkers, he digitally re-dressed neoclassical sculptures from the Louvre’s collection, creating a fusion between ancient myths and contemporary culture. The humorous juxtaposition quickly went viral on social media, launching his international career.
Trained in marble carving, Caillard has been creating sculptures since 2012 that are renowned for their exceptional detail and technical mastery. As he observes, “if photography is sculpting with light, why not actually sculpt images?” Using cutting-edge technology, Caillard hybridizes the ancient with the modern. Engaging with internet culture, he creates “glitchy sculptures” where a digital wave appears to ripple through renowned classical figures such as Venus and Apollo. This produces a visual dissonance that invites viewers to contemplate both the materials and techniques employed. Caillard’s sculptures serve as commentary on our digital world, navigating the space between reality and virtuality. Working with both blockchain technology and marble, he ensures his work exists across both ephemeral and enduring mediums.
Since 2024, Caillard has expanded his practice to include monumental large-scale sculptures designed for public art installations. These ambitious works bring his signature fusion of classical and contemporary aesthetics to urban spaces, allowing his explorations of time, technology, and cultural memory to engage with broader audiences in the public realm.
Caillard’s work has been featured in numerous major institutions globally, including the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Fondation Cartier in Paris, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. His pieces have been exhibited alongside works by esteemed artists such as Yves Klein, Damien Hirst, and Marc Quinn. Spanning marble and screens, Caillard’s practice creates a dialogue between past and present, offering us a glimpse into the future.