French artist Clémentine Bal creates captivating sculptural creatures that blend elements of nature, manga, and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from the shapes and forms found in the natural world, as well as the whimsical realms of anime and Japanese statuary, Bal’s sculptures exude a sense of gentle enchantment.
Each of Bal’s creations is imbued with a meditative quality, their clean lines and delicate postures conveying a softness and sensitivity. These peculiar beings seem to possess a spirit of their own, with faces and expressions that appear on unexpected surfaces like volcanoes, objects, and plants. Bal’s imaginative process brings inert materials to life, layer by layer, resulting in a cast of characters that evoke the fantastical worlds of Hayao Miyazaki and traditional Japanese deities.