Hungarian-born artist Laszlo Tibay has become a beloved figure in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, where he has lived for 40 years creating whimsical animal sculptures characterized by their soft, rounded forms. In September 2025, Tibay donated a statue to his adopted city as a gesture of gratitude, marking four decades of artistic contribution to the Seine-et-Marne community.
Tibay's distinctive creations have become fixtures throughout Lagny-sur-Marne, appearing in unexpected places and forms. Local residents may recognize his cat drawings on chocolate bars from Jérôme Lépinay's shop or on tourist office pens. His sculpture "Toto," a charming dog that gained widespread recognition after appearing in Canal+'s series "La Fièvre" last year, now stands prominently in Haslach Park, delighting visitors with its endearing design.
After fleeing Hungary's authoritarian regime, Tibay found refuge in Lagny, where he has refined his artistic style and developed his signature aesthetic. His workshop and permanent exhibition space, the Neo Galerie Tibay, is located at 2 rue Carnot along the banks of the Marne River. This creative sanctuary serves as both his workplace and a showcase for his fascinating body of work.
The gallery displays an impressive array of imaginative pieces crafted from everyday objects, including barbecues shaped like bulls, turtles, and donkeys, miniature elephants with graceful curved lines, and adorable dogs that seem to have stepped out of a comic book. Beyond animal sculptures, Tibay also creates paintings, uniquely designed furniture, and custom lighting fixtures. His minimalist approach and preference for rounded forms create a sense of comfort and warmth that resonates with viewers.
Working as a self-taught artist in his limitless creativity studio, Tibay conceptualizes and fabricates everything from start to finish. Over the years, he has masterfully learned the secrets of working with wood, resin, metals, and paint, developing expertise across multiple mediums without formal training.
While Tibay doesn't restrict himself to a single theme, animals remain his primary focus, rooted in his unique childhood experiences. "I was born in a border area with Austria, closed off by barbed wire, where you could only enter with police authorization," he explains. "We were completely isolated, but it was in a large oak forest, a magnificent place, and my father was a veterinarian there. He was enormously interested in animal behavior, in their way of reacting, and I always had many animals at home." His artistic inclination likely stems from his mother, who was highly skilled in painting.
Tibay's journey to France began in 1981 when, as a teenager, he left his native Hungary due to political uncertainties under the regime. "I left home hitchhiking to France, and chance brought me through Lagny-sur-Marne," the artist recalls. His connection to the city was immediate and profound. Just two days after arriving, he applied for political asylum at the town hall.
"They helped me with the procedures. I didn't speak a word of French; I learned on the job with the people," Tibay remembers. "There was real nightlife, all the young people gathered at the café in Lagny, it was like a little Paris." The warm welcome and vibrant community atmosphere made his transition to French life possible and meaningful.
Once established in Seine-et-Marne, Tibay began his professional life as a maintenance worker at the town hall, then moved through various small jobs before obtaining a civil engineering degree and working for fifteen years in an engineering office. However, driven by his creativity, he eventually pursued art as his full-time career, transforming from a refugee into a recognized artist with international recognition while maintaining his deep connection to Lagny.
The statue Tibay donated to the city represents more than just artistic contribution; it symbolizes gratitude and belonging. "With this statue, I wanted to thank the city for helping me, welcoming me, and allowing me to start a family here," concludes the artist, who now considers himself a true resident of Lagny. His story exemplifies how art can bridge cultures and create lasting bonds between an artist and the community that embraced him.
