Sculptor Andrea Roggi, summer artist in the village of Saint-Tropez

He saw Saint-Tropez as the dream destination for all artists. He was named "artist of the summer" for the major outdoor exhibition organized each summer by the city with a Saint-Tropez gallery. Andrea Roggi made the trip to present his monumental exhibition "Élan vital" with the Bartoux gallery. From the Hôtel de Paris to Sénéquier via the Quai Suffren, the six outdoor sculptures have since piqued the curiosity of art lovers strolling the streets of Saint-Tropez.

"This village and the nature that surrounds it are a source of inspiration for many artists," says the Tuscan sculptor, who particularly enjoys strolls in the heart of the old town. "The authentic way of life of this territory has always been valued and preserved, and that is precisely what I try to do with my works."

The tree of life as a theme

Celebrating life, transmission, the connection between human beings and the earth… Through his emblematic trees of life, the sculptor seeks to share his philosophy: “Like the olive tree and its roots, we must keep the best of our past,” suggests Andrea Roggi, “to pass it on to new generations, illustrated here by the fruits.” This representation of life is intertwined with an ode to love, symbolized by the trunks made of intertwined bodies. “Art is an invitation to dream, to share and, with Andrea’s works, to love,” summarizes Robert Bartoux, founder of the gallery that financed the exhibition.

"A unique artist"

"Saint-Tropez has become a true city of art, with real talent," Robert Bartoux rejoices. The gallery owner had spotted Andrea Roggi twelve years earlier during his exhibitions in Italy. "He is at the pinnacle of his art," he judges. Impressed by the special techniques used by the Italian artist to cast bronze and work the details, Robert Bartoux also attaches great importance to the artisanal character of the sculptor's creations: "He has his own foundry, his own kilns, works with his family and his assistants. He ensures the production of his pieces from A to Z, unlike many modern artists. This makes him an artist apart."

The sculptures, taken straight from Andrea Roggi's latest exhibition in Paris, will remain in Saint-Tropez until October 31.