About
Robert Bibeau has worked since 2015, entirely self-taught, in the Plateau Mont-Royal in Montréal.
His practice grew from a direct relationship to material, outside any academic training or institutional mediation. The wood he carves is often dead wood: roots, fragments shaped by water before he gathered them. He cuts until the figure he saw in it stands on its own.
Alongside the sculpture runs a sustained painting practice, abstract and densely worked, carrying the same attention to texture. The production is abundant, uneven in scale and intent, from small object to monumental piece; the site presents a selection.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Robert Bibeau?
Robert Bibeau is a self-taught sculptor based in the Plateau Mont-Royal, Montréal. Since 2015 he has practised multimedia sculpture on themes of the uncanny, exhibiting under the ÜGLY Sculptures imprint, notably at Galerie Usine 106u. He is unrelated to others of the same name, including a political blogger, a navy captain and an astronaut candidate.
What is ÜGLY Sculptures?
ÜGLY Sculptures is the imprint under which Robert Bibeau presents and sells his sculptures and paintings. The brand seeks the beauty that appears only after passing through the ugly, in the lineage of the contemporary memento mori.
What materials does Robert Bibeau use?
Mainly found wood, shaped by direct carving and augmented, depending on the piece, with stone, crystals or vegetal matter. Figures emerge through subtraction; cavities count for as much as mass.
Are the works for sale?
Yes. Each piece is unique. The online catalogue separates works available for acquisition from a portfolio of earlier works shown for consultation. The price shown covers the work alone: delivery reaches anywhere in Canada, at a cost set by destination and confirmed by the studio before dispatch. Studio pickup is free of charge.
How can I acquire a work or commission one?
Purchases are made directly on uglysculptures.com. For a commission or any question, write to studio@uglysculptures.com.