An encounter in the sky – the story of two falcons

In June 2024, I took my son Francis on a road trip through France—a journey driven by curiosity, art, and our shared love of nature. One of the most memorable stops was a visit to artist Olivier Bertrand and his wife Caroline. We spent two days in their warm, welcoming home, surrounded by the tranquility of Provence.

Olivier has been exhibiting at the Early Birds Art Gallery since April 2023 — a gallery where my work is also on display. That's where I first encountered his sculptures in person. I was captivated from the very first moment. His work is raw and poetic at the same time, and it touched me right in the heart.

It was actually Francis who discovered Olivier on Instagram. He was deeply impressed by the originality and expressive power of his creations. When he showed me Olivier's work, I immediately felt the same fascination. Still, I had my reservations at first. Cardboard? Could such a perishable material find a place in the world of serious art collectors?

But those doubts quickly disappeared. Olivier's work speaks for itself — and it speaks powerfully. His sculptures have now found their way into numerous collections in Europe. What at first seemed fragile has, in his hands, grown into a fully-fledged artistic medium, full of expressive power.

During our stay, Olivier and I got talking about our respective careers as artists. One evening, I told him about an image that had been on my mind for years: eagles high in the sky, clutching each other's legs and diving through the air in an acrobatic dance, only to let go of each other just before the end. That fleeting moment of connection intrigued me — and I suggested we create a sculpture based on it.

The idea caught on immediately. But instead of eagles, we opted for two peregrine falcons — smaller, faster, equally powerful — captured in that one meaningful moment when their flight touches each other.


Because my creative process takes more time, I started on my bronze falcon first. When it was finished in wax, Olivier started on his, in his signature material: cardboard. Months later, I traveled back to the South of France with my finished falcon under my arm to put the finishing touches on our joint work.

When I saw Olivier's falcon for the first time, I was moved once again. The expressive power he manages to convey in cardboard is nothing short of impressive. The moment our two birds were connected — his light, airy form with my solid bronze — felt like a small miracle. Like flight, captured in matter.

Olivier had carefully provided four iron wire points to attach his falcon to mine — a technical gesture, but also a tender act. A few hours later, the work was ready to be photographed.

My falcon still needed to be patinated, but first the attachment points had to be permanently welded in the bronze foundry. Still, we had our doubts: the natural color of the bronze formed an unexpectedly beautiful harmony with the cardboard. The shades were so close that we considered leaving the bronze as it was — pure, alive, untouched.

This first copy, E.A. I/IV, is the original work: my bronze falcon, finished and patinated, connected to Olivier's unique cardboard falcon.

Together, we are submitting this work to the international exhibition Birds in Art 2025. We eagerly await the reactions — from the public, from the museum, and from everyone who loves birds, art, and stories that take place between heaven and earth.