Fifteen monumental sculptures of Philippe Geluck's beloved cartoon character "Le Chat" (The Cat) have made their debut at the International Rose Garden in Lyon's Parc de la Tête d'Or. The exhibition launched on Thursday, October 2nd, bringing the famous comic strip character to life through large-scale artistic installations.

The traveling sculpture exhibition features quirky, humorous, and poetic interpretations of the iconic cat character, continuing its successful tour across multiple cities. After conquering audiences in Paris, Bordeaux, Geneva, Monaco, Montreux, Brussels, and Guérande, "Le Chat déambule" (The Wandering Cat) has now set its paws in Lyon for an extended five-month run from October 2, 2025, through March 1, 2026.

Creator Philippe Geluck emphasizes the unique artistic challenge of translating his two-dimensional character into three-dimensional sculptures. "I cannot start from an existing drawing; I must create a sculpture for itself," Geluck explained about his creative process. The artist stressed the importance of approaching sculpture as an independent art form rather than simply reproducing his comic illustrations.

The Cat character was born in 1983 from Geluck's pen "in a romanticized way," originally representing himself and his wife "in the form of a cat." Since its creation, Le Chat has become a familiar companion to millions of readers worldwide, transcending its comic strip origins to become a cultural phenomenon. The character's widespread appeal continues to resonate across generations, touching lives in profound ways.

"He touches so many people; he has entered people's lives," confided the artist during a recent interview. This emotional connection was immediately demonstrated when a passerby approached Geluck just minutes later, sharing how much The Cat had accompanied him throughout his childhood. Such encounters highlight the enduring impact of Geluck's creation on readers who have grown up with the philosophical and humorous feline character.

The Lyon exhibition represents another milestone in the character's journey from comic strips to public art installations, allowing visitors to experience The Cat in a completely new three-dimensional format while strolling through one of the city's most beautiful parks.