Abbe Foure’s sculptures are found in Vanuatu’s St. Malo island. Among them is the sculpture of the ‘Malo Male’, which stands three meters high. His expression is intimidating and his blue pigmentation is dazzling. Today, the sculpture is displayed in the Louvre’s pavilion of sessions.
Abbe Foure’s sculptures
Abbe Foure’s sculptures are still present on the island, but they are not protected. They have deteriorated over the years due to the weather and the number of visitors. In 1907, he started carving rocks. He continued to carve rocks and wooden sculptures until his death in 1910.
During his 25-year-career, Abbe Foure carved over 300 pieces of rock on Rotheneuf, a small island on the Emerald Coast. Many of the rocks depict pirates and fisherman. Some of the sculptures are allegorical, depicting the adventures of a pirate family.
In 1870, Abbe Foure was only thirty years old when he suffered a stroke. This resulted in him losing his hearing and speech. He was also left paralyzed on one side of his body. Despite his disabilities, he still managed to carve hundreds of shapes into the rock at Rotheneuf. It is believed that he was an excellent wood carver, as well. In the following years, his cabin was converted into a museum. It was there that he received many visitors.
In 1893, Foure’s priestly activities were halted. Despite his failing health, he took a stand against the local authorities and eventually was dismissed from his office. The carvings of his house are included in a booklet devoted to Foure’s work.
Vanuatu’s St. Malo island
Malo, also known as St. Bartholomew Island, is located off the southern coast of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. The island is about 17 kilometres long and eight miles wide. Its highest point is Mount Malo. Sculptures of animals, fish, and birds are found throughout the island.
Survivors of a catamaran rescue
The Saint-Malo hit a rock called the Frouquie on its passage from Jersey to Sark. It was travelling in moderate to rough seas when the catamaran struck the rock. The emergency services were quick to arrive on the scene. Other nearby ships provided assistance. The survivors have set up a memorial in thanks to those who helped them.
The rescue took almost an hour and many people were left in shock, some of them nearing nervous breakdowns. Most of the survivors were older people and were stricken with fear. However, despite the dangers, there were some survivors who were able to hold onto hope for a better future. The French woman who was on board was one of them.
Irene Probstein, who escaped Nazi persecution from St Malo in 1940, was one of the last survivors of the rescue. She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts. She was nine years old when the rescue mission took place. She was on board a Jersey boat owned by Jim Langlois. Her family survived the event, and she and her husband recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.