Goutard, known simply as Val, grew up in South America, Africa, and Europe. She first came upon sculpture in 2001 and, up until her death last October, followed her inner journey, immersing herself in observations of nature and listening to her intuition.

Val’s monumental sculptures are a combination of art and architecture. In terms of art, her sculptures reflect on the attitudes and emotions of man and how we interact with nature and the surrounding environment. Many of her art works are human-shaped sculptures with two or more men in the sculpture itself. In terms of architecture, her artwork reflects structure, how a building is constructed with the use of all lines and shapes.

In 2004, Val established her workshop in Bangkok, where she worked surrounded by her team, who assisted her in creating her sculptures. Over the years, these took on monumental proportions. Her works are held in permanent collections in Thailand, and have been widely exhibited across Asia from Hong Kong to Singapore, Shanghai to Taiwan. Her noted participation at the Shanghai Art Fair in 2010, together with the unveiling of a huge sculpture named Urban Life as part of the Jing’An International Sculpture Project, established her reputation amongst renowned sculptors.

Val was often commissioned to create her large-scale artworks for public and private settings. These included Inle Balance III and Urban Gathering for the Sofitel in Bangkok, Waiting III which was installed in Taipei New Times Square in 2014, and more recently in 2015, Inequilibre, which is on display in the highest residential tower in Singapore.

Amongst numerous other high profile projects, Val was also invited by the glass masters of ARS Murano to work with them in their studio on new glass creations. After several journeys to Venice, she married glass, bronze and light to create a collection of unique pieces titled Tenth Eonian Initiative.

Last October, Val passed away in a tragic road accident in Thailand. A few days before, she had just finished a 36-metre sculpture for a private collector in Taiwan.

S Gallery on the lobby level of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit is open daily from 10 to 10. Visit http://www.Sofitel-Bangkok-Sukhumvit.com.