Jean Claude Farhi

Jean Claude Farhi – Nouveau Réalisme
Full name: Jean-Claude Farhi

Nationality: French
Movement: Nouveau Réalisme, École de Nice

Education: Beaux-Arts de Nice
Artistic career

Jean-Claude Farhi was born in Paris in 1940. In 1946, his family moved to Bogotá, Colombia, where he continued his schooling. At age 15, he met the artist Antonio Ascona, who introduced him to drawing and awakened his artistic vocation. In 1957, he moved to Nice, where he took courses at the Beaux-Arts while working as a courier and tour guide. During the 1960s, he met artists from the École de Nice and the Nouveau Réalistes, such as Ben, César, Arman, and Raysse, who influenced his work. He became César’s assistant in 1968 and developed sculptures in plexiglass and metal, notably his famous “Motorcolors.” In the 1990s, he turned to raw steel for his monumental outdoor sculptures.
Major works

Polymethyl methacrylate columns: Iconic sculptures made of colored, often transparent plexiglass, incorporating inclusions of various materials.
Discs and steles: Geometric and monumental works created in polymethyl methacrylate or steel, exploring shapes and volumes.
Tables and functional objects: Creations combining art and utility, such as backgammon tables made of polymethyl methacrylate.
Raw steel sculptures: Outdoor works produced in the 1990s, marking a shift toward more industrial materials.
Style and influences

Farhi’s artistic approach blends art and design, influenced by the Nouveau Réalistes movement. He uses industrial materials such as plexiglass and steel to create works that are both aesthetic and functional. His work explores geometric forms and volumes, often inspired by architecture and urban culture.
Recognition and legacy

Jean-Claude Farhi’s works are held in several public and private collections, notably at Galerie Ferrero in Nice. His sculptures have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and sold at auctions, reflecting their recognition in the contemporary art market.
Quote

“Volume is a sentence.”