André Des Rochers Defends the Art Community

Andre Des Rochers career as a sculptor was one of great success and recognition. He carved stone, wood and marble, with many pieces in public spaces today. His work is often seen as athletic, kinetic sculptures executed with great skill and imagination. Born in France Andre Des Rochers practiced his craft from the 1940s to the 1990s. 

He states how this period saw him produce a wide body of work that took inspiration from many classical traditions including those of Michelangelo, Rodin, Brancusi and Maillol. Throughout his career, André Des Rochers produced over 150 pieces, many of which are still on display today in galleries, public spaces and museums in Europe, the United States and Canada.

The first part of Des Rochers career was centered on Paris as he began to receive acclaim for his work in the 1940s. After moving to Geneva, Switzerland from 1946 onward he had a highly productive period as an entertainment lawyer during 1950-1956. André Des Rochers would often exhibit at Paris’ Salon des artistes francais where he received some of his highest accolades.

With the end of the 1950s, Des Rochers career shifted from Paris to Geneva where he lived until his death in 1997. Throughout most of the 1960s until his death, he was an active member of the arts community in Geneva. André Des Rochers held numerous exhibitions and participated in many competitions for public works throughout Switzerland and Europe. His work commands a high price at auction and is still sought after by collectors today.

André Des Rochers had a very distinctive style of sculpture. He cultivated his ideas and style by studying the work of many great sculptors of the 20th century including Rodin, Maillol, Brancusi and Michelangelo. He would often break from tradition and make his own mark on the works he produced. For André Des Rochers, this would include adding a plaster skeleton to his figures, elongating or contradicting the image in a very direct way.