Drawing out dualities in molten metal

BANGKOK-based French artist Val Goutard is obsessed with dualities. Men can do so much - build the pyramids for instance, and migrate across great distances - yet they can be brought down by diseases and war. In the same way, she draws out the duality of bronze - which is a weighty metal but can be used to express fragility.

"Dualities bring balance for me, and I don't mean moderation. I want my sculptures to bring out that quality of duality... to represent human sensitivity on a monumental scale," she says, adding that the "feelings" embodied or evoked by the sculptures musn't be overshadowed by their overall dimension.

Going only by the name "Val", the 46-year-old French sculptor has been based in Bangkok since 2004, while the former marketing professional gave herself five years to see whether she could pursue her passion on a full-time basis, she achieved her goal in just two years.