Sculptor Nolwenn Depin is determined to continue her artistic work in Quimperlé despite experiencing a devastating theft of one of her major bronze sculptures. The artist, who has become well-known for her large-scale bird sculptures displayed throughout the French town, recently had her 140-kilogram bronze raven stolen, leaving both the community and the artist shaken but not defeated.
In 2022, Depin had successfully installed a bronze cormorant sculpture along the René-Brévini promenade in Quimperlé, which became a beloved fixture for locals and visitors alike. The impressive piece stood as a testament to her skill in creating lifelike representations of birds in bronze. Following the success of this installation, plans were made to expand her presence in the town with additional works.
The stolen raven sculpture, which was intended to replace the cormorant in 2024, stood an impressive 1.70 meters tall and weighed 140 kilograms. Despite its substantial size and weight, thieves managed to steal the valuable bronze artwork, leaving the community shocked by the audacious crime. The theft represents not only a significant financial loss but also the destruction of months of artistic labor and creative vision.
Rather than being discouraged by this setback, Depin has channeled her energy into new projects and remains optimistic about her future work. The resilient artist has described having "plenty of ideas" still brewing in her mind, indicating that the theft will not derail her artistic career or her commitment to public art installations.
Currently, Depin is working on a new commission that demonstrates her continued dedication to her craft. She has been contracted by private clients in Quimperlé to create a bronze owl sculpture, which is still in its early conceptual stages. The preliminary sketches and initial work on this piece show her characteristic attention to detail and realistic portrayal of avian subjects.
The upcoming owl sculpture is scheduled to be installed near the Maison Rouge area of Quimperlé by spring 2026. This new installation will give the community another opportunity to appreciate Depin's distinctive artistic style and her ability to bring bronze birds to life through her sculptural expertise. The project represents both a continuation of her artistic vision and a symbol of her resilience in the face of adversity.
