The tourists crossing their path cannot resist the souvenir photo. Niortais can sit there while waiting for friends for a cinema screening. A bit like the dragon, these two women are emblematic of the city of Niort. This monumental sculpture, the work of artist Franck Ayroles, was inaugurated five years ago. But it was a long road before the two ladies sat down on their benches. “As I was from Niort, I wanted my first monumental sculpture to be here. »
“We must thrive on differences”
The artist therefore proposed his project to the new mayor of Niort, freshly elected in 2014, Jérôme Baloge. He accepts, instructing Franck Ayroles to find the financing. “At the start, as it was my first, there was a little skepticism, it was complicated to motivate the partners”he remembers. But his project, which he wants to be popular, is attractive. They involve the people of Niort in the adventure. He creates a model, presents it to the CGR cinema and leaves a box for everyone to give their opinion. He thus receives more than 3,000 messages, also counting the emails received. The movement is underway. He launched crowdfunding and raised more than €12,000. “As a reward, everyone who donated can find their name in the sculpture. »
For his project, he also relies on the expertise of Poujoulat for the creation of a resistant structure. The company also finances the bench on which the two women discuss.
A sculpture by Joséphine Baker in the works
Franck Ayroles worked for six months to create the sculpture. It was inaugurated on November 30, 2019. Since then, he has created it for other cities: The Young Ladies from Rochefort, The Bathers of Châtelaillon and The Girls by Bressuire. Another, representing Joséphine Baker, is being planned, in a town currently kept secret.
Women are the favorite subject of the artist from Niort. “I lost my parents at the age of 17, I found myself alone with my grandmother. I drew a lot. When I took up painting again, I did some pretty sad series with women. In fact, I was drawing my mom who I missed, it was a kind of therapy, but I didn’t realize it. »
The women he creates today, with their curves and bright colors, inspire joy. They also carry messages of dialogue, respect and freedom. “In Niort, I absolutely wanted to put two women of different colors, one black and one white. I wanted to bring the northern and southern hemispheres together. We are in a society that wants to divide itself today. I don’t want that company. We must thrive on differences. »
