Pierre Riche, a seasoned artist with a passion for welded metal sculptures has over 30 years of experience in sculpting out of metal. Pierre has established himself as a prominent figure in the art world, showcasing his captivating creations both nationally and internationally. Having honed his craft at the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, where he specialized in welded sculpture and foundry, Pierre’s artistic journey has led him to a profound focus on the graceful and majestic form of horses. For the past 24 years, he has dedicated his skills and creativity to sculpting these magnificent creatures, breathing life into their metal bodies. Alongside his exceptional horse sculptures, Pierre has explored a diverse range of themes, from expressive faces to intricate figure sculptures. Pierre likes to find used, discarded materials to work with, creating beauty out of no longer needed items. With a wealth of experience and a portfolio encompassing numerous commissioned works, Pierre Riche invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of his metal sculptures.
Pierre Riche Works
Metaface
2016 “Metaface"8’ x 7’ x 5’ – welded mild steel with a baked powder coat weighing 1100 lbs. "Metaface" is a representation of Gaia, the earth’s feminine goddess principal personified in a mask. A physical space one can walk into yet see through. The face of Gaia is feminine because she gives birth to and sustains all life on the plant as a mother would to her child.
Into the WInd
2017 “Into the Wind" 6’ high by 2’ wide and 8’ deep – welded recycled metals. To Riche the sculpture "is the pattern of becoming something intended. It’s the challenge of creating new hope from old relics of the past. Facing the winds of our own inner psychology we weld together our resources at hand and forge a new possibility for who we are in the world. The process is challenging and courageous, but the rewards are great."
You Are Fiction
2019 “You Are Fiction" 7′ high x 33" wide x 37" deep – welded steel. "This face sculpture titled "You Are Fiction" has the word fiction written all over it in steel letters. This represents the straw-man corporate identity of the person. The birth certificate is the contract with the all capital letter name on it.
Chief Steel Feather
2018 “Chief Steel Feather" 8′ high x 4′ wide and 6′ deep – welded reclaimed metal and enamel paint. Chief Steel Feather is a fictitious Indian that Pierre describes as – “a sculpture honoring the many Indian chiefs that once inhabited and still does inhabit North America. The name “Chief Steel Feather” embodies the quality of being soft as a feather and strong as steel. It represents the power of the feather in its paradoxical nature to be delicate and graceful, yet controlled and forceful.
Pele, the Volcano Goddess, Awakens
2020 “Pele, the Volcano Goddess, Awakens" 6 ft. high x 3 ft. wide and 6 ft. deep – metal. Drawn from the 2018 volcanic eruptions on Hawaii. “I put a face to this powerful and natural force of destruction and was guided by the myth of “Pele, the volcano goddess story. I used the personality of an enraged and vengeful woman that Pele is symbolized as to bring her mythology alive.”
Salvaged Horse
2022 “Salvaged Horse" 6 ft. high x 3 ft. wide and 6 ft. deep – steel parts including wrenches, old tools, nuts and bolts, railroad spikes, diamond plate and even a tire iron or two. There are two welded circles of chain links from a diesel locomotive. "Salvaging discarded and abandoned metals and up-cycling them into figurative and animal sculptures revels an invaluable message; with the right tools and creative persuasion, no scrap metal will perish.”
