Richard Orlinski exhibition in Saint Raphael

This summer 2025, the city of Saint-Raphaël becomes the stage for a spectacular exhibition dedicated to contemporary artist Richard Orlinski. From June 11 to September 21, seven monumental sculptures will be scattered throughout the city’s most iconic locations. This open-air exhibition, free and accessible to all, promises to transform the urban space into a true open-air museum, welcoming both the curious and art enthusiasts alike.

Richard Orlinski's famous Kong, exhibited in Nice in 2023

A key figure on the French and international art scene, Richard Orlinski has made a name for himself with an immediately recognizable style: angular sculptures in bright or chrome colors, often depicting powerful animals — gorillas, crocodiles, tigers, hippos — symbols of strength and freedom. Powerful to some, simplistic to others, his monumental sculptures (often representing massive wild animals with sharp lines and vivid colors) have one undeniable virtue: they spark debate.

The municipality’s contribution will amount to €51,500 net. The resolution also specifies that the Tourist Office will contribute an equal amount of €51,500. The city council unanimously approved the organization of the exhibition during the council meeting held on April 11.

An artistic journey through the city

Visitors will be able to discover the works along a city-wide route, punctuated by artistic stops. Selected locations include the Old Port, the forecourt of the Louis de Funès Museum, the Charles Omédé Tourist Office, the Delayen Esplanade, the Cultural Center, René Coty Promenade (opposite the Continental), and General de Gaulle Boulevard. Each sculpture will be accompanied by an explanatory plaque and a QR code offering more information about the work and the artist’s approach.

The goal is clear: to bring art closer to the general public and integrate it into the daily lives of residents and visitors. This initiative promotes an immersive, sensory, and emotional experience, set in an exceptional natural environment of sea, light, and architectural heritage.

The Wild Kong, an icon of the Orlinski universe

Among Richard Orlinski’s most iconic works, the Wild Kong holds a special place in the collective imagination. Inspired by the legendary gorilla King Kong, this sculpture embodies the artist’s entire philosophy: raw power channeled into a pop and sophisticated aesthetic. Often depicted in an attack stance or with arms raised, the Kong captivates with its duality — both threatening and protective, wild and almost human. By playing with this tension, Orlinski challenges our relationship with instinct, violence, and the raw power of nature.

Wild Kong exhibited at the top of the Courchevel ski area

Made from resin, aluminum, or bronze and available in a wide range of bright or metallic colors, the sculpture also captivates with its playful and spectacular appearance. The Kong has become a true symbol of Orlinski’s work, often chosen as the centerpiece of his major international exhibitions. It stands on rooftops in Miami, on the beaches of Deauville, and at the foot of ski slopes in Courchevel, inspiring the same admiration everywhere. In Saint-Raphaël, the presence of the Kong at the heart of the city creates a striking encounter between monumental animality and Mediterranean softness — a unique way to infuse the urban space with rare sculptural energy.

A special inauguration with the artist

The exhibition will be officially inaugurated on Friday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. on the Delayen Esplanade, in the presence of Richard Orlinski. This event will be a highlight of Saint-Raphaël’s summer cultural season. The artist will engage with the public, sharing insights about his career, his artistic vision, and his connection to nature — a central theme in his work.

This gathering will also offer a deeper understanding of the message behind his work: art that is accessible, popular yet demanding, at the crossroads between classical sculpture, contemporary design, and pop culture.

Orlinski: an oeuvre shaped by instinct, power, and emotion

Since the early 2000s, Richard Orlinski has been sculpting “to sublimate reality,” as he likes to say. His works convey raw emotions — fear, anger, desire, fascination — while also raising deeper questions about human nature and our connection to animal instinct.

Richard Orlinski exhibition, Avenue George V, Paris, in 2024.

His style was born from the use of industrial materials (resin, aluminum, bronze, etc.), which he shapes to bring powerful yet vulnerable creatures to life. His pop-inspired bestiary offers a contemporary response to traditional sculptural codes, blending beauty, provocation, and energy.

The artist has exhibited in the world’s greatest capitals: Paris, Miami, London, Dubai, Hong Kong… His arrival in Saint-Raphaël reflects the growing desire among French cities to democratize access to contemporary art and use it as a tool for cultural and tourist outreach.

A vibrant, artistic summer in Saint-Raphaël

This exhibition is part of a broader initiative to highlight public art, led by the city of Saint-Raphaël. It complements a series of summer events showcasing the region’s artistic richness: concerts, performances, open-air screenings, guided tours, children’s workshops…

Orlinski’s sculptures will add a monumental and spectacular dimension, appealing as much to art lovers as to casual passersby. The contrast between the modernity of the works and the Provençal charm of the city center creates a powerful aesthetic dialogue, inviting both contemplation and conversation.

Practical information

Dates: June 11 to September 21, 2025

Inauguration: Friday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. (Esplanade Delayen)

Locations: Old Port, Louis de Funès Museum, Tourist Office, René Coty Promenade, and more

Admission: Free – Open access

More info: ville-saintraphael.fr

Conclusion: An invitation to wonder

Richard Orlinski’s summer exhibition in Saint-Raphaël is set to be one of the Côte d’Azur’s major cultural events. Combining aesthetic power, accessibility, and emotion, it offers a fantastic opportunity to discover — or rediscover — the world of this extraordinary artist in an open, vibrant setting. An artistic journey not to be missed, where modernity meets the Mediterranean.

Since 2015, Richard Orlinski has been recognized as the best-selling contemporary French artist in the world. This distinction reflects the global impact of his work, which merges pop aesthetics, geometric forms, and animal symbolism. His sculptures, such as the iconic Wild Kong, are exhibited in over 90 galleries worldwide and have captivated a wide audience, from private collectors to cultural institutions. Orlinski has succeeded in democratizing contemporary art by making it accessible and integrating it into a variety of public spaces — from ski resorts to urban centers. His innovative approach and ability to reach a diverse public have contributed to his commercial success and international renown.

Discover Richard Orlinski’s sculptures featured by Class Art Biarritz