Meet Yves Goyatton: Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yves Goyatton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yves, what makes you happy? Why?
Art makes me happy, and so does the process of creating my artwork.  The experience of creating a new piece from start to finish is full of ups and downs. It’s a mix of passions, challenges and endless possibilities – and all of this brings such joy into my life. Although the process is often long, studious and frustrating, it is also exciting, uplifting and fulfilling. Such is the paradox of life! For me personally, over the years I have found that it’s actually through the hard times of the creation process that I learn and grow the most. This experience has taught me perseverance and tenacity, and to never give up. I believe that art is a mirror… a statement of our existence and our culture. It is an interpretation of my existence, and it is an interpretation of human existence. This visual language that is art brings great happiness to my own personal life. 

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My creations you see now are the result of 15 years of work, dedication, tenacity and joy. Creation comes with ups and downs and the goal is to always finish the piece, learn from your mistake and grow from it. Throughout my career as an artist, I have seen many others – very talented individuals who have given up along the way. Because this is a somewhat “alternative” path to take in life, and something where making a living can be challenging, so many people throw in the towel because it becomes unfortunately too difficult. I can truly say that art gave me the mindset to face the challenges of life, and to always keep going despite the difficulties of lt. What you see with artists are individuals that never gave up on their passion and dreams. Of course there will be hard times – guaranteed, and of course there will be moments when you want to quit – even still today, but you continue on in spite of that. This builds strength, character and perseverance, and is definitely a life lesson worth sharing that applies to nearly any life circumstance. With regards to my style of art, I have always been fascinated by modern architecture and my art for the most part integrates this element in my creation. As a kid my dad would take me to view buildings being constructed in my hometown of Lyon, France. I think this planted a seed early on that built a passion in me for the process and end product of buildings and architecture. My body of work represents this fascination for architectural shapes and their juxtaposition with the human form. My work has taken this concept literally, combining the human form and the abstracted shapes of modern architectural. For me, it refers to man in an architectural, urban, and social environment. I love to combine my own sense of aesthetics and concepts with the intention to generate an emotional response. Sometimes I try to raise consciousness about a subject that has touched me, or it can be the result of a process where I found satisfaction in a refined aesthetic of a piece. You can see those architectural elements in pieces like Architectonic and The Weight to Time. The thing that most excites me as an artist is having an opportunity to discuss my work with a viewer. Everyone has their own unique interpretation of a piece and what it means to them, and I love to share these experiences with others. This process creates a relationship between the viewer, myself as the artist, and the sculpture.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I reside in Monterey, California and it is a beautiful area facing the Pacific Ocean, near a mid-range mountain in Big Sur. We have the chance to live in a town with rich ethnic diversity and it is reflected in the local food you can find here. There are many great restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops in both Monterey and our nearby sister town Carmel. I love going to Alta Bakery in the mornings for a coffee and a fresh chocolate croissant – the European style bakers here are as good as you could find in France! Because I am a Frenchman, I can honestly say it’s the real deal. Vesuvio in Carmel is a great Italian restaurant with nice outdoor seating on a rooftop bar. This is a great place to go in the evening or late at night – they have a full bar, great wine list and delicious food. L’ escargot is another great french restaurant that my wife and I enjoyed going its located in downtown Carmel. Sometimes we love walking or biking on a trail from the Monterey Warf to Pacific Grove – it is just beautiful scenery that you don’t want to miss out. This is a great activity for the morning, daytime or sunset. 17 Mile Drive is another daytime must-see in Pebble Beach. It is famous for its huge mansions, beautiful scenery and golf course right above the ocean. Lastly, if you are not afraid of going on a boat, I would recommend you go whale watching – you won’t be disappointed by what you see. The best times to go are early in the morning or afternoon. Lastly, Monterey and Carmel are both very walkable towns with plenty to see on foot. I’d recommend having at least a day to just walk around the towns for window shopping and doing spontaneous activities.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am truly grateful to have met so many people these past 15 years who have encouraged me to pursue my dream of creating art. It has been a fascinating journey full of growth and learning. I am fortunate in the fact that there are just too many people who have been impactful in my journey as an artist that I cannot name just one, so I’d like to share a few. To start, I still remember clearly 14 years ago when I made my first sculpture sale to a collector who has since become a close friend and mentor to me. He believed in me when I was just getting started, and still does to this day. Since the beginning, he has seen me grow and evolve as an artist, and has been a great source of encouragement along the way. Our shared love of art (and French wine) really created a bond between us that I know will last a lifetime. Years later, another collector who I became close with knew that it was my dream to create a life-sized sculpture – however at the time my finances were tight. When he learned of this, he offered to donate the funds necessary so that I could create the piece and cast it in bronze, and he insisted that I never pay him back. I will never forget that generosity. To see others have faith in me and my work – and encourage me along the way truly touches my heart and keeps me inspired to create and never give up. These are some examples of memorable kindness. I have also greatly appreciated the people who have taken the time to give me the advice to improve my skills as an artist. The teachers, the viewers and my beautiful wife who has always been curious about my art and has always encouraged me to succeed.

Website: www.YvesGoyatton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yves.goyatton.sculptor/
Linkedin: none
Twitter: none
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YvesGoyattonSculpture

Image Credits
Yves Goyatton and katie Goyatton