OLIVIER BERTRAND
Biography
Olivier Bertrand was born in Marseille in 1975 to a French father and Chinese mother. From an early age, he developed a passion for drawing, visual arts, and origami in particular, which taught him to grasp the power of a fold and the subtlety of volumes. After studying economics, he eventually turned to a career as a web designer. Fifteen years later, a period of convalescence gave him the opportunity to reconnect with his first love. Although he no longer folds paper, the common thread remains the same: repurposing cardboard.
Nourished by his Asian heritage and a deep immersion in Far Eastern culture, he draws inspiration from the forms, stories and philosophy of this universe. The influence of manga and Japanese legends can also be found in his imagination. His works, particularly those featuring samurai, convey a subtle balance between power and introspection. Olivier Bertrand assembles pieces of cardboard of different thicknesses: the strongest are used to build the framework of his works, designed as meticulous interlocking puzzles. Some pieces incorporate metal rods to reinforce their stability. Finally, each creation is consolidated with a fire-retardant treatment and protected by a transparent epoxy resin that ensures its durability.
In 2026, Olivier Bertrand unveiled a new collection in bronze, a natural evolution of his sculptural work born from recycled cardboard. Like an alchemist, he transforms the ephemeral into the permanent, inscribing the fragility of cardboard in the memory of bronze. Wishing to preserve the essence of his art, he infuses the warmth and depth of cardboard through the work of patina.
