Born in Koenigsfeld, Germany, Hans Schleeh (1928–2001) studied with Richard Class at the Lahr School for Sculptors, and then at the Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Arts in Germany. He moved to Montréal in 1951 and began his career by executing sculptures at the basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, in the Québec City region. In 1960, he presented his first solo exhibition at Dominion Gallery. Two years later, his works were shown at the New Art Centre Gallery in New York. His large marble sculpture Swan is on display at Place des Arts in Montréal.
Artwork description
The artwork is situated in a residential neighbourhood at the foot of Mount Royal near Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. It is a group of three figures arranged in a circle on a square granite base. The figures, with simplified bodies, are larger than life and made of copper. The piece symbolizes the family: a man, woman, and child are holding each other’s hands, underlining their kinship links.
Over his career, Hans Schleeh has worked primarily in marble. For Affinité, however, he used another material, copper sheets, which he hammered and welded. The same year, he used this technique again for Trialogue, situated at the south end of the façade of Plaza Côte-des-Neiges. The motif for this artwork is similar to that for Affinité: a circle of three figures, but they are slenderer in build, have one leg each, and are holding their fists up to the sky.