Patrick Roger: Dessins d'atelier

Patrick Roger is an exceptional artisan whose reputation was initially built around chocolate. Voted Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France), he has established himself as one of the most creative chocolatiers of his generation, thanks to his technical expertise and instantly recognisable visual style. Alongside his work as a chocolatier, Patrick Roger has developed a prolific sculpting practice. His workshops are the birthplace of monumental works, first modelled in chocolate (his favourite material) then cast in bronze, resin or aluminium. Fascinated by nature and organic forms, he likes to explore wildlife, which he depicts in impressive formats: whales, gorillas, rhinos, orangutans. His pieces oscillate between hyperrealism and stylisation, playing on the tension between the raw power of the animals and the delicacy of the modelling. Manipulating the material in a physical and instinctive way, Patrick Roger creates sculptural works marked by energy, volume and a strong ecological sensibility. Displayed in his shops, galleries and public spaces, his sculptures demonstrate a desire to transcend the boundaries between craftsmanship, design and monumental art. This book, part of a series on Patrick Roger's sculptural work, offers a unique insight into a major figure in French chocolate making, focusing in particular on his drawings, which are meticulously crafted projects in their own right. From the first pencil stroke to the final creation, this in-depth exploration allows us to understand Patrick Roger's creative process step by step.