Manuela Papeians: Sculpting Life, Joy, and Emotion

Born in Bruges on 25 December 1964, Belgian sculptress Manuela Papeians is a passionate creator whose art captures the essence of human emotion and the beauty of life. Trained as an architect at ISA Saint-Luc in Brussels, she honed her professional skills in the bustling offices of the city before embarking on an enriching international journey in the early 1990s. Her years abroad—living in Boston, Barranquilla, and Paris—offered a kaleidoscope of cultural influences, shaping her perspective and creativity. Upon returning to Belgium after more than a decade, she redirected her architectural expertise towards social projects, helping vulnerable communities.

However, Papeians' artistic soul longed to take form in a different medium. While drawing and modeling had always been part of her life, it was not until 2010 that she fully immersed herself in sculpture. She began her journey in clay at the Atelier de la Ligne d'Horizon, continued at the Ecole des Arts de Braine-l'Alleud, and later refined her technique at the Atelier du Dieweg.

Her chosen medium, clay, became a partner in her creative process. "I like its suppleness, its slippery nature," she explains. "It sometimes slips away, but that’s what makes it so alive." Over time, she transitioned to casting her works in bronze, preserving the flowing, organic vitality of her forms.

Manuela Papeians' sculptures transcend mere representation. They embody human nature—joy, emotion, and femininity—with curves that dance and movements that leap from stillness.

She describes her work as an attempt to express the hidden depths of her emotions:"Sometimes I contemplate, sometimes I dance, sometimes I jump for joy... I like to represent the present moment—a moment of life that extends beyond itself. Perhaps it is simply life that I love."

Her creations serve as a tribute to beauty and positivity, offering a sense of balm to soothe the world's sorrows and a reminder of life’s goodness. For Papeians, sculpting is a gift—to herself, and to those who experience her art.