Behold the Wrapping Candy sculpture. A giant sugary delight seemingly dropped from a child’s fantastical dream. This five-meter-high confection isn’t made of actual sweets. Instead it’s a vibrant yellow polyester creation. The colour evokes the sun and the citrus fruits of the French Riviera.
This isn’t just any candy. This is the work of Laurence Jenkell also known as JENK. A self-taught French artist. Her work sits proudly on the edge of the A8 highway. It’s a bold statement. A testament to the surprising places art can appear.
The current yellow candy replaced a previous red one. Motorists using the A8 missed the red candy when it disappeared. They had to wait patiently for the new one to be installed on January 25th. Jenkell created the sculpture. She partnered with the Escota network of Vinci Autoroutes. This collaboration made the highway art possible. Highway Art features over 70 works on French highways.
Jenkell isn’t limited to candies. She works with marble bronze and Murano glass. She’s also skilled with Plexiglas. Her Wrapping Bonbon and Wrapping Twist sculptures are crumpled candy packaging. She even works with polished aluminum. She also creates other deformed objects like Italian coffee pots.
Her art extends beyond the visual. Her robot sculptures ask big questions. What happens to humanity when robots gain consciousness? What is our place? Jenkell’s art challenges us to consider these very questions. She’s known in France and over 50 countries.
In 2011 Jenkell’s Candy Nations appeared on the Croisette in Cannes. Fifty-five sculptures formed a colourful welcome for G20 summit presidents. A sweet and memorable greeting.
The Wrapping Candy sculpture is more than a whimsical roadside attraction. It is a symbol of imagination creativity and a willingness to push boundaries. It’s a sweet treat for the eyes a burst of colour on the highway. It is a reminder that art can be found everywhere even beside a busy motorway. So take a moment admire the sculpture and let your imagination run wild.