De familie Desmet in den Hemel

The pears are placed on clouds, a reference to the “Heaven” of the title. The sculpture consists of separate parts, another aspect that often recurs in Desmet’s work.

This work does the opposite of a classical allegory: it is not a representation of a natural phenomenon through a human body, but of a human body through fruit. Desmet has highlighted some suggestive details, such as the frontal attachment of the stem or the gentle undulation of the figure on the right. This erotic analogy between body parts and fruit is also found today in emojis, such as the erotically charged zucchinis and peaches. 

Etienne Desmet is a technically accomplished Belgian sculptor. Since 1967, for most of his career, he has spent several months each year working in the marble studios of Carrara in Italy. He also uses polyester, wood, steel, and bronze. The stylistic variety of his work is striking, as is the alternation between figuration and abstraction. His sculptures tell stories of desire and lust, of being attracted and repelled, but also of the impossibility of communication.