Bernard Saint-Maxent, born in 1970, is a self-taught sculptor and painter whose work emerged as a personal rebellion against the confines of everyday life. Emerging from a background in fast food service, he turned to sculpture in the 1990s as a way to channel the pressures of his former work into creative expression. Eschewing established conventions, Bernard's practice is characterized by a fearless experimentation with materials—a robust metallic core is transformed with resin, varnish, and layers of bronze paint finished with a patina that imbues each piece with a unique character. His sculptures, devoid of casting, celebrate spontaneity and individuality, each one an original reflection of his idiosyncratic vision. Drawing inspiration from the timeless burlesque antics of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, as well as the absurdities of modern life—from current events to advertising—Bernard infuses his work with humor and a zest for existence. His art, centered on the playful misadventures of an omnipresent, rangy character, invites viewers to not only smile but also to reflect on the contradictions that shape our world. Widely exhibited across Europe and internationally in cities such as London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Toronto, and New York—with notable sell-out shows in Paris’ Place des Vosges—Bernard Saint-Maxent’s oeuvre is a celebration of art as a source of pleasure, a light-hearted yet incisive commentary on the human condition.