About
Robert Bibeau, self-taught, has been sculpting since 2015 in the Plateau Mont-Royal, Montréal.
His practice grew from a direct relationship to material. The wood he carves is often dead wood: roots, fragments shaped by water before he gathered them. He cuts away until the figure he glimpses 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 name ÜGLY Sculptures, 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 name under which Robert Bibeau presents and sells his sculptures and paintings. The brand seeks the beauty that appears only once the ugly has been crossed, in the lineage of the contemporary memento mori.
What materials does the artist use?
Mainly 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 reference. The price shown covers the work alone: the delivery cost within Canada appears at checkout, set by destination, or is quoted for certain pieces. In-person handover is free of charge for any acquisition.
How can I acquire a work or commission one?
Purchases are made directly on uglysculptures.com. Commissions go through the site’s Commissions page, which sets out the terms; for any other question, write to studio@uglysculptures.com.