“One of the greatest sculptors of the end of the 20th century”, Eugène Dodeigne retrospective at the Piscine de Roubaix

200 works brought together at the Roubaix Swimming Pool Museum. A retrospective by Eugène Dodeigne on a local artist, a key player in the French art scene of the 20th century. First planned for 2020, the exhibition did not open its doors to the public due to Covid-19, a retrospective to restore the full grandeur of the artist more often known internationally. Reporting.

Imposing works,placed everywhere: in squares, in public gardens. In Lille, in his region, his works are known and seen every day, but the artist’s name is not always associated with them. And yet, his statues are acclaimed in Paris, but also in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Belgium precisely… Originally from Soignies, between Mons and Brussels, from a family of stonemasons, Eugène Dodeigne is a multifaceted artist, whose sculptures are the works that have had the most impact (before his drawings and paintings).

Naturalized French, he spent his entire life in the North, where he came to live young, with his parents during the first half of the 20th century. In Tourcoing, he was spotted at the Beaux-Arts, in Bondues, he had his workshop… The territory nourishes its inspiration anda pierre blue becomes on signature… A way for him to reclaim his Belgian origins? Soignies is in fact in Belgian Hainaut where this stone comes from!

From fluid, polished sculptures to raw, clashing surfaces. Faces, disturbing, tortured, with peaceful, sensual silhouettes. Classic, independent, abstract, Eugene Dodeigne dares, tests, defeats.

He was very economical with his words, very little grandiloquent… I think he always preferred that his works speak for him.

Germain Hirselj about Dodeigne

An artist with a discreet personality according to Germain Hirselj, scientific curator of the exhibition, paints a portrait of the artist. “Island“He was a fairly secretive character, very economical with his words, very little grandiloquent… I think he always preferred that his works speak for him.”

More Dodeigne, It is Also ce visage less known : the one of the photographer, of painter, of the interior designer, and the designer. C‘East ce what has wanted this exposition : show the multiple facets of the artist and restore his greatness.

Restoring an artist of international stature to his full potential

Hélène Duret, director of the Roubaix swimming pool

Hélène Duret, director of the Roubaix Swimming Pool museum, explains that the retrospective is made up of more of “200 works retracing his career, from the first plasters he made until the end of his life… So, we explore a lot of different techniques. It’s also an opportunity to return full greatness to an artist of scale internationale”.

And actor essential of the scène artistic française of XXe century, has discover until 12 January 2025 to the Roubaix swimming pool.

With Valentine Meyer and Loïc Beunaiche / FTV.