Xavier Veilhan

XAVIER VEILHAN (France, 1963).
“Air,” 2007.
Thermoformed (blue). Edition 3/5 + 2AP.
Includes a purchase invoice issued by Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin (Paris).
Shows minor imperfections.
Provenance: Emmanuel Perrotin Gallery (Paris).
Measurements: 63 x 48 x 13 cm.
Crafted from thermoformed material and presented in a deep, uniform blue, the piece depicts two simplified, faceted human figures with a smooth, glossy finish that eliminates individual detail to focus on form and volume. Within the context of his career, this work reflects his interest in reinterpreting the human figure through contemporary processes, moving away from realism to explore an almost digital or virtual aesthetic. Since his early career, following his training in Paris and Berlin, Veilhan has worked at the intersection of art, design, and architecture, and *Air* exemplifies this quest for a synthesis between the figurative and the abstract.
Xavier Veilhan is a French artist who lives and works in Paris, whose career is characterized by a constant exploration of the relationship between tradition and modernity. Trained at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs, and later in Berlin with Georg Baselitz, he developed his own distinctive style from the outset in the 1980s, combining classicism with contemporary technologies. Throughout his career, Veilhan has worked across multiple disciplines—sculpture, installation, painting, and set design—creating works that transform space and perception. In the 1990s, he began to gain recognition for experimental projects such as *Le Véhicule*, a hybrid piece that blends machine and sculpture. By the 2000s, he had cemented his international reputation with large-scale exhibitions, including “Veilhan Versailles” (2009), where he reimagined the historic space with a contemporary approach.
His career reached one of its high points when he represented France at the 2017 Venice Biennale with the project Studio Venezia, an installation that fused art and live music. Renowned for his ability to integrate art, architecture, and sound, Veilhan has built a coherent and experimental body of work that establishes him as a leading figure in international contemporary art.