Founders of Balea Design, multidisciplinary artists and surfers, Bruno Lehoux and Philippe Gray-Lopez have been sharing their passion for oceans and cetaceans through their iconic works for over thirty years.
Aware of the unfathomable threats that endanger this fragile yet vital ecosystem, we have chosen to sublimate the beauty of the curves and the power of movement of our distant cousins, the marine mammals, and to put our art at the service of Nature, as a megaphone for cetaceans.
Respecting the purity and dynamism of its movement, we’ve adapted the shape of the cetacean’s fluke for decorative and functional use; our sculptures can be used as fountains, benches and decorative accessories.
Our history
The origin
From a sketch on the corner of a table to a small plaster model, the idea of transforming a cetacean’s fluke into a seat was born in 1991 in Martinique.
In our two design-minded brains, function met form, enhancing the natural harmony of these liquid curves. We tested it at full size before going into production.
Fortunately, a few visionary and committed decision-makers who fell in love with the project gave us a chance, and over the course of thirty years we were able to create a number of works that have become iconic.
Then came the obvious idea of fountains, showers and communication objects. Then came the chairs and monumental sculptures, just for the pleasure of seeing these forms spring from the earth or the sea and generate joy, beauty, contemplation, reflection and reverie.
Public demand led us to design tabletop sculptures as well as goodies, key-rings and pendants, which were a pleasure to hold in the hand.
Alongside the creative act, we were also aware of the terrible ecological threats facing these fragile, peaceful creatures. And, of course, of the vulnerability of other ecosystems.
We approached the first NGOs really involved: Sea Shepherd and its emblematic captain Paul Watson, then later SOS Grand Bleu, the Pelagos Sanctuary, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Bloom.
We also proposed our prototypes as symbolic totems for exhibitions and cultural events related to the oceans, marine life and maritime heritage.
The public reception has always been fantastic, and that’s been our greatest reward.
It’s impossible to stop a child sliding again and again down the fluke like on a toboggan.
It’s impossible to keep your hand from resting and gliding languorously over these infinite curves, where no angle hurts.
Impossible to get out of the fountain’s curtain of water, dreaming of a fantastical swim with the placid monster in the blue immensity.
For therein lies the magic of Art. It opens the door to poetry, to a reconnection with the senses, and therefore with life. They are protective balms and vectors of meaning. Looking at what’s beautiful and letting it in brings deep peace.
Over the years, we've continued to express ourselves through sculpture, design, photography, music, painting, construction and performance.
philosophy
Inspired by the ocean and its mythical creatures, we have dedicated our creations to raising public awareness of the need to preserve the environment in general, and whales in particular. The Balaena bench and the Baleak fountains have enabled urban audiences to come face-to-face with the beauty and majesty of a life-size encounter with a large cetacean, a rare experience usually reserved for sailors on the high seas.
Our values
Art as
militant act
Balea Design sculptures convey a powerful ecological image, enabling our customers to express their environmental awareness and communicate their commitment to nature. In this way, the sculptures become modern, effective awareness-raising tools, facilitating the implementation of original initiatives with a lasting impact. With our extensive experience in this field, we offer our partners the best solutions for exploiting the exceptional ecological image potential associated with our artistic creations.
Underwater sculpture of the MIMO dolphin immersed by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in the Larvotto marine reserve
A commitment to the environment
We have reached an intense moment of uncertainty in the destiny of humanity, itself linked to the destinies of other species and other kingdoms. We are deaf and blind at a time when all the alarm sirens are constantly wailing. Our unconsciousness and inaction inexorably condemn us. Through our creations, may we humbly lay a stone in the construction of a new paradigm.
Our values
Beauty
The proximity of art, the breath of poetry, the contemplation of nature are protective balms and vectors of meaning.
So, tirelessly, we artists polish curves, mix colors, capture light to free it even more, play with harmonic frequencies, trigger rhythms, couple words, generate emotions.
We marvel, propose, challenge, rebel or transcend.
Our career path, our projects and our diverse achievements, from the minuscule to the monumental, testify to our desire to share with the public this inner call to reconnect with the Living that drives us.
To look at beauty is to draw it into oneself, it’s soothing, it’s already starting to reinvent our daily lives.
Our values
Bio-sourcing
Bio-sourcing and up-cycling, a necessity for sustainable, eco-responsible development.
We keep abreast of the latest research and are constantly on the lookout for raw materials with the lowest carbon footprint and the least impact on the planet’s resources, giving priority to recycled and reclaimed materials wherever possible.
Guided by the impressive and powerful shape of the whale’s fluke, we designed monumental sculptures combining a variety of materials and artistic techniques. Specially designed to meet the needs and requirements of individuals, municipalities and businesses, our custom art pieces are tailored to your specifications and constraints.
Our values
Empathy
Today, whales and dolphins have become the greatest symbols of nature conservation. These distant aquatic cousins are powerless witnesses to environmental degradation.
The oceans are directly affected by human activities, and cetaceans, highly evolved mammals, are highly sensitive to changes in their habitat.
Threatened with extinction by intensive industrial fishing, waste dumped into the oceans and climate change, we can measure the destructive impact of uncontrolled human activity by observing them.
Likewise, their intelligence and the interest they sometimes seem to show in us make them very endearing animals.
Permanent installations
- 2024: Cannes, Jetée Guillaume Apollinaire
- 2022: Sausset les pins, esplanade maritime and traffic circle
- 2022 : Anglet, Bouygues Immobilier (Corten steel sculpture)
- 2018: Carry le Rouet, esplanade maritime
- 2012: Le Lavandou, Rond point du Grand Bleu (bronze fountain triptych)
- 2006: Mimo immersion, Larvotto marine reserve, Monaco
- 2005 – 2008: Awareness and communication campaign in support of the Franco-Italo-Monegasque sanctuary for the protection of cetaceans in the Mediterranean.
- 2005: Delcoy residence in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat (benches)
- 2004: Pierre et Vacances residence in Marseille (Prado)
- 2002: Sausset les Pins, esplanade maritime
- 2002: Carry le Rouet, esplanade maritime
- 2002: Delcoy residence in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat (fountain)
- 1999: Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay (South Africa) with MTN
- 1997 : Beaulieu-sur-mer, Marina
- 1995: TCS, Port of Fort de France (Martinique)
- 1994: St Jean Cap Ferrat with SOS Grand Bleu, marina
Cannes, Jetée Guillaume Apollinaire
France - 2024
Rond-point du Grand Bleu, Le Lavandou
France - 2012
Résidence Kalypso, Anglet
France - 2022
Temporary exhibitions
- 2021 : Biarritz, Guinguette “Chez Er!k
- 2021 : Anglet, Lab Ekosea (“Destins croisés” exhibition)
- 2021: Guéthary (Port des pêcheurs)
- 2021 : Biarritz, Médiathèque (Collaborative exhibition “Eaux troubles”)
- 2019: Monaco (Monaco Ocean Week Trophies)
- 2018 : Beaulieu sur Mer (Performance Julien Raynaud – Galerie Continental Art)
- 2018: Monaco, Port Hercules (Monaco Yacht Show)
- 2016 : Aquarium Donostia San Sebastian (Spain)
- 2014: Anglet, La Barre (Kostalde Baleada)
- 2014: Guéthary (Port des pêcheurs)
- 2014: Biscarosse (Hôtel de la mer)
- 2013: Biarritz (Environmental Investigation Film Festival)
- 2013: Guéthary (Port des pêcheurs)
- 2012: Bayonne (Thalassa)
- 2012: Bayonne (Escales Marines)
- 2012: Biarritz (“Intrinsèque” exhibition)
- 2012: Guéthary (Port des pêcheurs)
- 2012: Biarritz (“Genesis” exhibition)
- 2012: Biarritz (Inauguration Surfrider Foundation Europe)
- 2010 : Biarritz (MIACS)
- 2010 : Biarritz (Exhibition “L’Océan”)
Guéthary, Port des pêcheurs
France - 2021
"Monaco Yacht Show, Port Hercules
France - 2018
"Escales Marines, Bayonne
France - 2012
Our partners
Whales and dolphins have inspired us, and we’re committed to using our art to raise public awareness and respect for nature. We support a number of organizations working in this area through partnerships.
Our experience enables us to offer our partners the best solutions for exploiting the exceptional ecological image potential of our sculptures, transforming our creations into fund-raising tools for NGOs, and into modern, effective communication media for original operations with a lasting impact.