Didier François was born the Second of April 1969 in Brussels, and now lives and works in Mechelen (Antwerp). From his childhood onwards he has been surrounded with artistic vibes. His mother, a paintress herself, always turned the house into a nice and lively atmosphere, welcoming lots of friend artists. Didier’s mind however was constantly drowned in music, and on the age of four he asked to play the violin. Drown by a fascination for matter, Didier found relief in sculpture as well, a new means for him to express his true feelings, where the violin’s technical aspects led to a love hate affair!

Today this dilemma evolved in two passions. It is always the same expression: “ Whether I am in the kitchen, playing the violin, reading stories to my children, or finishing a bronze sculpture: it is always the same emotion, just expressed by other means.” Didier believes every form of thought is just an obstruction of the creative process. François’ work does not fit into any conceptual-academic movement, however it is the result of a strong conceptual thinking exercise: the remainder of what is left when a soul leaves the body, is what inspires Didier. Antiquity’s mummies for instance, or people, frozen in gletsjers for centuries, brought back to life by the stories their physical remainders reveal. Didier’s interpretation finds life in the figures he creates wrapped in bronze. These are everyday characters, respecting their psychological, filosophical and spiritual nature, being sometimes depressing or melancholic, but unquestionably featuring that one touch of humor, irony or self-mockery.