L’Egypte
1927
Birth of Pierre Manoli in Cairo in November, either the 5th or the 6th according to his mother. Birth registered November 15, his official birthday.
From a family of Greek origin with possible Venetian connections, his father, August Manoli, a well-known doctor in both the working-class districts of Cairo and the royal palace is a lover of the arts. Musicians, actors and artists are often invited to stay in the family home.
1937
From an early age, Pierre models small figures and animal subjects. His ambition is to be a sculptor. On seeing his work a friend of the family, a professional sculptor, advises his parents to encourage this ambition.
1947
Manoli enrols at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Cairo.
Pierre Manoli in Cairo
Art studies in Paris
1950
To further his studies Manoli leaves Egypt to live in France.
1951
After a short time in Alsace he arrives in Paris where he enrols at the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs. He remains there until 1955 and obtains the Henri Matisse diploma.
1955
Marriage to Jacqueline Renaut by whom he has two daughters, Sylvie and Anne. The latter has made her career as a painter.
1956
Manoli decides to complete his training by enrolling at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris. His teachers are Despierre, Saint-Sains, Cavailles et Robert Couturier. He concentrates mainly on modelling in
clay and plaster. At the same time he begins to explore the possibilities of movement, of equilibrium and disequilibrium, with a series of trapeze artists and bodies in space.
Période parisienne
Manoli in his studio rue Poliveau, Paris
1958
At the Salon d'automne he exhibits Les Trapézistes. Georges Boudaille admires his work and writes "Manoli with his acrobats breaks new ground." Lettres françaises.
The Trapézistes – aluminium cast – 1956
1959
Exhibitshis mobiles at the first Biennale in Paris at the Salon de la Jeune Sculpture.André Malraux, minister of State responsible for Cultural Affairs, shows a great personal interest in his work.
Manoli and André Malraux at the Salon « la jeune sculpture » - 1959
1961
Manoli carries out numerous experiments with his materials. He produces his first projections of molten metal in water and the technique of brass irisation.
1962
Ma Maison – smelted granite – 1963–65
Takes part in an international seminar at the University of Farleigh Dickenson ( N.J.,USA). In a fit of impatience, waiting for his materials to be delivered, he aims his blow-torch at three pebbles on the ground. The stones melt on contact with the flame. The first sculptures in smelted granite, produced with a flame at more than 2000 degrees, are created. In the same year he uses the same technique on ceramic squares, sometimes highlighted by the application of molten metal burnt to total oxydation.
l’Homme de Fer – burnt ceramic squares - 1962
1964
Réalisation de nombreux travaux de commandes dont les sculptures murales à la Caisse Nationale du Crédit Agricole, Paris.
1965
Carries out numerous commissions including the mural sculptures at the Caisse Nationale of the Crédit Agricole in Paris.
Medal for the SNCF commemorating the electrification of the Le Mans – Rennes line as well as badges and jewellery for the C.I.C.F.
1967
- Experiments with irisation on steel and stainless steel.
- Installation of Meeting in Space at the group Henri-Wallon, Le Blanc Mesnil
1969
Meets Britt-Marie Andersson who becomes his wife.
1970
Hommage to the Railway commissioned by the SNCF is installed in the entrance hall of the Gare Montparnasse.
1971
Creates motorised scupltures with umbrella frames which are shown at the exhibition at the Ministère de l’Intérieur organised by Iris Clert. The Karin Waehner dance troupe base a choreography on them.
l’Oeil – motorized umbrella frames – 1971
The Torso – irisation on stainless steel – 1971
1973
The first sculpturographies, aerosol paintings, are shown at the Galerie Art-Contact, Paris.
La Bretagne
1975
Manoli and Brittsettle in Ille-et-Vilaine at La Richardais, a village on the Rance.
Pierre and Britt-Marie in Britany
1976-89
Apart from his studio works Manoli creates numerous public monuments including Chimney 1976 (large piece in stainless steel for the Faculty of Sciences Paris-Jussieu), Pair of Horses 1982 (Equestrian Centre, Dinard), Fertility (prize-winner at the BEAC competion, installed at Yaounde, Cameroon), Temple 1989 (Institut Castolin, Courtaboeuf les Ulis).
1990
Receives the Florence Gould Foundation prize at the XXIVème Prix International de l’Art Contemporain, Monte Carlo.
Héliosphère – brass on steel – 1990
La Grande Voile – installation in 1991
1992
The Mainsail is unveiled in the renovated entrance hall of the Gare Montparnasse, Paris.
1995
The Fountain of Life, a sculpture-fountain is inaugurated at Chantepie, Ille-et-Vilaine.
1996
Installation at the Centre Commercial de Pacé of a sculpture on the theme of the legend of Brocéliande incorporating several figures constructed from chain-drives. The first ‘propeller’ sheep Hommage to the Rance, a project for the tidal electricity generator across the Rance.
1999
Creation and installation of liturgical furniture for the cathedral of Sain-Corentin, Quimper.
Manoli working at La Richardais
2000
Installation of the monument Flight at the Chambre de Commerce et de l’Industrie, Rennes. The Tree of Knowledge is acquired by the Lycée Brizeux, Quimper.
His Lordship – polyester and golfballs - 2000
2001
February 9th - death of the artist at La Richardais.
September 8th - inauguration of the Atelier Manoli, museum and sculpture garden at La Richardais (Ille-et-Vilaine).