This painting exhibition showcases the young French artist Charles Jaulerry’s Mirrors series. Painted in acrylic and enamel, these works show the human figure in its most simple elementary form, traveling between abstraction and figuration, mysterious yet recognizable. The viewer is beckoned to stand in front of the canvas and contemplate his psychic reflection. Jaulerry is concerned with human nature overwhelmed by the complexity of a contemporary world – “The Scream” cries out again.
“Edvard Munch’s “Scream” is a work that I like for its theme, bright colours, boldness and naiveté, but what I like the most is the feeling of anxiety that emerges from it. I love art that communicates strong feelings. I have never seen the painting in real life, yet it is a work I often thought of while creating the Mirrors,” Charles Jaulerry explains.
Born in Bayonne, France, in 1981, Jaulerry studied visual art in New York and Paris. He has developed his own original technique, and prepares his own enamel paints himself.
In his Mirrors series, dots, stars, crosses, lines, geometric shapes and dense, solid colours are obsessively assembled to form a recurrent human silhouette arising from a web of interlaced tentacles. These silhouettes, sometimes almost indistinguishable, can suggest classical 17th century portraiture as in Mirror #1 or revisit Asian religious art as in Summer where the background evokes what could be a chaotic Tangka.
The precision and control manifest in Jaulerry’s work seems to provide a containment, a means to avoid an imminent explosion; Likewise it could be a way to mingle with nature, merge and finally dissolve into it.
“These works are made for contemplation: the initial visual experience is riveting, even dizzying, but then a peaceful calm and satisfaction take over. The viewer must wonder how this reconciliation is achieved, perhaps we find this relief by narrowly escaping chaos!”, exclaims Philippe Koutouzis, Director of FEAST Projects.
This exhibition is part of Le French May 2013 programme, presented by FEAST Projects and supported by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau.
About FEAST Projects
Founded by Philippe Koutouzis in 2010, FEAST Projects produces innovative projects through collaboration with both established and emerging contemporary artists. Represented are works in classical mediums, as well as works involving the new convergence of art, music, performance, film and design. Global in outlook FEAST Projects represents artists from around the world, including Ron Arad, Chu Teh-Chun, Feng Shuo, Fensterbank, René Iché, Charles Jaulerry, Jeng Jundian, Liu Wei (b.1965), Marlène Mocquet, Carr Patterson, T’ang Haywen, Tie Ying, Xie Lei and Zao Wou-Ki amongst others.
The 2,500 sq ft primary gallery area features a spacious terrace overlooking the sea. Designed for flexible layout: all walls are movable to accommodate each exhibition installation. In contrast the newly acquired 3,000 sq ft space presently remains a raw shell suitable for performance and experimental pieces. Both are located in Harbour Industrial Center, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
About Le French May
Organized by the Consulate General of France in collaboration with the Alliance Française of Hong Kong, and with the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Le French May has grown to become one of the largest French arts festivals in Asia.
For further information, please contact Kate Tai at katetai@feastprojects.com or call +852-2553-9522.
