London Biennale

Louise Manzon

Guardian of the Soul

Guardian of the Soul by Louise Manzon, Bronze sculpture, 2022

Selected for the 2025 London Art Biennale, Brazil. Bronze sculpture, 2022. 30x15x54cm.

Inspired by the talismanic horsemen of the Kotoko people—who dwell around the ancient waters of Lake Chad—this bronze horse is shaped in exceptional stylizations and near-abstract forms. Its smooth, essential lines whisper of strength and grace, distilling the essence of the animal into a timeless symbol. Like the Kotoko talismans once believed to shield the soul from fear, sadness, and disquiet, this sculpture becomes a quiet sentinel. It invites us to seek protection not in armor, but in presence; not in noise, but in stillness. In a world that so often scatters our spirit, Guardian of the Soul is a call to return—whole, balanced, and inwardly sovereign.

Louise Manzon, Franco-Brazilian sculptor based in Milan and New York, creates figurative works where fluidity, tension, and symbolism converge. Awarded at the 2022 Triennale di Milano and shown across Europe and the US, her sculptures explore the depth of the human condition, revealing its inner strength and celebrating the vital force connecting all living beings. Each detail invites emotional and philosophical reflection.