Claude Gilli

Claude Gilli – École de Nice / Niçois Pop Art
Full name: Claude Gilli

Place of birth: Nice, France

Artistic movement: Pop Art, École de Nice, Contemporary Art

Education: École des Arts Décoratifs de Nice (entered in 1955)

Distinction: Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters
Artistic career

Claude Gilli is a central figure of the École de Nice, a group of artists who emerged in the 1960s alongside key figures such as Yves Klein, Martial Raysse, Ben, Arman, César, and Bernar Venet. Together, they redefined the boundaries of art in France, influenced by American Pop Art and a desire to break away from traditional artistic conventions.
Born into a family from Nice, Gilli entered the École des Arts Décoratifs de Nice in 1955. Between 1957 and 1959, during his early exhibitions at Galerie de Longchamp, he formed close friendships with Albert Chubac, Martial Raysse, and later Ben, during the inauguration of Ben’s “Laboratoire 32.” On New Year’s Eve 1962, he burned nearly all of his early works—an act that marked a radical turning point in his artistic approach.
Major works

Ex-Voto: Colorful sculptures and assemblages, often in plexiglass, inspired by religious offerings, but reinterpreted to question consumer society and modern spirituality.
Snail Series: Paintings and sculptures featuring white traces on black backgrounds, evoking snail trails—symbols of time, memory, and movement.
Cut-Outs: Works created by cutting shapes into various materials, playing with light and spatial perception.
Pourings: Sculptures made by pouring melted materials and allowing them to solidify, resulting in organic, spontaneous forms.
Gilli’s Trees: Monumental metal sculptures of stylized trees, installed in public spaces, notably in Nice.
Style and influences

Claude Gilli’s work is defined by bold use of color, simplified forms, and constant references to popular culture. His art interrogates religious symbols, consumer society, and everyday visual codes, while incorporating elements of Niçois and Mediterranean culture.
He is recognized for his ability to fuse art with daily life, creating works that are both visually striking and rich in meaning. His artistic commitment is also reflected in his active participation in both the local and international art scenes.
Quote

"Art is an adventure, an endless quest."
"Nice as a motif."