Jean Michel Collell
Jean Michel Collell
THE ARTIST
Portrait artist in wire mesh
JM COLLELL is a French contemporary artist specializing in wire mesh portraiture. Born in 1968 and living in Montpellier, he made himself known by exhibiting his art in various art galleries in France and abroad as well as through numerous European and international fairs.
More than an art... a passion!
Since a young age, Jm Collell has tried various artistic techniques such as painting, drawing and sculpture. Self-taught and a lifelong art lover, it was only in 2017 that Jm Collell developed his own artistic work, working with metal mesh. His sensitivity to contemporary art has allowed him to draw inspiration from the biggest names by pushing his curiosity in search of new and unique art.
“The metal mesh could be seen as a work of art in itself”
His work: the hyperrealistic portrait
Lots of patience is required to cut each mesh plate to shape the portraits. Using his incredible sense of depth, Jm Collell manages to hand-cut the layers of metal mesh with a meticulous subtraction technique to create the portrait. His sculptures therefore include areas of high-density mesh alongside cut-out spaces which give them a wonderful sense of light.
Artist JM Collell demonstrates exceptional technical mastery and meticulous attention to detail, seeking to create works that closely resemble photographs. Each cut of the wire mesh is carefully calculated to recreate the subtle variations of light and shadow, complex textures and delicate reflections. This extreme precision creates a deceptive illusion, transporting the viewer to another world, where the boundary between reality and art blurs.
His work is a tribute to attention to detail, patience and the constant search for perfection. It goes beyond simply replicating the look of a portrait. He seeks to capture the essence of it, to convey emotion and provoke reflection in the viewer.
Between real world and imaginary world
Inspired by the current world around him, he has created numerous works around cinema, fashion, animals...
In recent years, he has devoted himself more particularly to femininity by representing women and wanting to demonstrate their beauty and strength.
Through his work around women, he demonstrates the link between the imaginary world and the real world. He works with emblematic figures such as the Geishas recognized for their grace, their sophistication and their talents in the arts or the independence, strength and courage of the Amazons in Greek mythology. It highlights all these women who are a source of inspiration and fascination throughout the centuries.
These figures have the ability to challenge gender norms and embody powerful feminine ideals. They have shown that women can be strong, empowered and influential, and have played a key role in the emancipation and expression of femininity in their respective contexts.