PIERRE HEYVAERT "TWIST" SCULPTURE, 1970

Caviar20 is excited to offer a very rare domestically-proportioned example of one of Canada’s most notable sculptors, Pierre Heyvaert.  

Pierre Heyvaert (1934-1974) is a Belgian-Canadian sculptor best known for his metal public works done in abstract, geometric forms. His art helped usher in a new era of sculpture by introducing new abstract, hard-edged forms to public spaces. 

Heyvaert was born and educated in Belgium, but moved to Canada in 1957 after graduating from the School of Industrial and Decorative Arts in Ixelles, Belgium. Within his first decade of living in Canada, he participated in the International Sculpture Symposium in Montréal (1964); Forma Viva, the International Sculpture Symposium in Kostanjevica, Yugoslavia (1965); and the Symposium international de sculpture sur bois in Québec City (1966). 

In 1970, Heyvaert was awarded a major solo exhibition titled “Espace Triangulaire” at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal. This exhibition came after creating many notable, large-scale public works in Montreal and abroad using his signature geometric, abstract style; some of which were referred to as “espaces triangulaires” (“triangular spaces”)

One of Heyvaeart’s most famous sculptures is now installed in the pool of the Casino de Montréal grounds in Parc Jean-Drapeau titled “Acier”. He won the commission from the Québec government to create this sculpture in 1967 for Montréal World Fair (Expo 67) pavilion. 

“Acier” is a strong representation of late 1960’s sculpture when geometric, abstract works playing with sharp angles and planes began to be celebrated. Heyvaert has many notable public works in Canada and abroad including works at the Galerie Cheval de Verre (Brussels, 1964), the Calgary Allied Arts Council (1968), the Musée du Québec (1969), the Deson-Zaks Gallery (Chicago, I969) and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (1970).

Many major Canadian institutions carry Hayvaert’s sculptures in their permanent collections, including the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Montréal Museum of Fine Art, and the National Gallery of Canada.

This work is a paradigm example of Heyvaert’s signature style and form. Completed in metal, with one bright accent color (yellow), this hard-edged shape creates visual intrigue from the interplay of lines and planes and the empty “triangular spaces” left between intersecting elements.

Sadly, Heyvaert died tragically young in a Montreal car crash. As collectors and scholars are (finally) assessing abstraction of the late 1960's and early 70's in Canada, Heyvaert is ripe for rediscovery.

Questions about this artwork? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720

Metal

Signed and dated by the artist, on the bottom

“Untitled (Twist)”, 1970

Canada, 1970

19"H 10"W 8”D

Very good condition.

Minor wear, commensurate with age.

Detailed condition report by request.