Jules PENNEL is a committed artist born in 1995 in Roubaix, North of France.

Jules discovers the art world via his experience in an Ecuadorian cultural center. French-Ecuadorian sculptor Pepe Pistolas teaches him the basics of steel sculpture and welding. Back in France, he starts exploring this craft before starting to work for a metal craftsman to learn how to master steel. For 3 years, the artist lived on Reunion island where he worked in an artistic center. During this time, he traveled several times in austral Africa to develop art project with local communities.  

His works showcase contemporary societal issues. Alone or with others, he strives to shed light on the struggles and crises affecting vulnerable communities and people around the world by using art as a catalyst for raising awareness.

Before creating his works, the artist generally creates and analyzes a prior body of work related to the themes tackled. He identifies shapes and situations that best fit his point of view. His materials are recovered in his local vicinity. He shapes and modifies his materials until their original form and function are made unrecognizable, rendering them unique. By assembling the pieces, he creates a harmonious whole that evokes feelings and emotions in the viewers, creating a bond with the finished piece and therefore also with the themes it tackles. To create his works, Jules mainly uses techniques such as arc welding, bucking, grinding and engraving. He enjoys playing with oxidation which brings with it new symbolism and meaning, contrasts and a new appearance.

Jules, as an artist, was born from a logical string of realizations, meetings, shared experiences, evolutions and adaptations. Art quickly became his main expression vector to uphold his values.

Until 2020, his artist name was Julo. From 2023 onwards, the artist now goes with his birth name : Jules Pennel

Exhibitions

Tambour Battant - 2020 , France
La Friche Gourmande - 2020 , France
Vavang’Art - 2021, Reunion Island
Art Market - 2021, Reunion Island
L’arbre à Palabre - 2021, Reunion Island
Mafalala Museu - 2022, Mozambique
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane - 2022, Mozambique
Ecole Française - 2022, Mozambique


Residencies 

Vavang’Art (12 months) - 2021, Reunion Island
Mafalala Museu (2 months) - 2022, Mozambique 
Projet Elephant, Niassa Special Reserve (5 months) - 2023, Mozambique