"The women of the Uygur ethnic group are preparing for a traditional dance performance. They walk towards the stage and their elegant figures are silhouetted against the sunlight of Xinjiang." Jean Michel Stanislas Garczynski, French contemporary expressionist artist, introduced his work Groupe Ouïgour to GDToday reporter at the opening ceremony of his "ENTRE CIEL ET TERRE" exhibition, which kicked off on July 30.
Groupe Ouïgour. (Photo: Newsgd.com)
(Photo provided to Newsgd.com)
This exhibition, held in CHASE Aesthetic Space, brought together the essence of Jean Michel's works over the recent years, covering different forms of art works, such as oil painting, statuary, ceramics, installation art photography, and sketch. The exhibition will last for one month.
Jean Michel came to China since 2008. In 2010, he moved to Guangzhou and later opened his studio in the city. He is fond of the mix of both modernity and history of Guangzhou. Over these years, his footprints have been to most of China's provincial-level regions.
Jean Michel. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)
In the painting Groupe Ouïgour, Michel used a lot of golden and red colors. He explained that gold represents wealth, which corresponds with Xinjiang, a land boasting abundant natural resources, and red expresses the enthusiasm of Xinjiang Uyghurs.
During the trip to Xinjiang in 2015, when he was walking endlessly in the desert, sometimes he would encounter a mirage. There was also one time when someone walked out into the desert, the individual had a long long silhouette, which was very amazing to him. Inspired by the splendid views in Xinjiang, he created this work. "The local people are open and enthusiastic, and they talk to me with Uygur language, although I don't know what what they say", Michel said with a laugh.
(Photo provided to Newsgd.com)
The expressionist, who attaches importance to the relationship between people, art, and nature, hopes to build a "bridge" between people, nature, and the environment through his works. "During this period in which we live, it is probably more obvious than ever that we love nature," he added.
According to Michel, he chose the theme "ENTRE CIEL ET TERRE" for this exhibition because it sums up the context of the times and his multiple sources of inspiration, namely the universe, nature, and all beings. "You will see a selection of works on display, featuring outdoor sketches from my travels and abstract expressionist works, as well as statuary, ceramics, and photography," he added.
Notably, Michel has created a special art installation called "Les sept étoiles sacrées" for this exhibition. Made up of egg trays, the work creatively expresses the practicality and the need to protect the earth by recycling. The egg symbolizes birth and the cycle of life, its roundness also reminds of the earth, and the seven elements of the installation can take people into an infinite imagination of the universe.
Les sept étoiles sacrées. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)
Joachim Boittout, Cultural Consul of France in Guangzhou said that this exhibition is a good illustration of the significance of art exchanges between France and China, and he hopes to see more exhibitions in the future.
Joachim Boittout. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)
Huang Jianchang, the founder of CHASE Aesthetic Space, said that the exhibition aims to promote cultural exchanges and interaction between China and France. CHASE Aesthetic Space also hopes to convey the beauty of art through the exhibition and add joy to everyone's life in this post-epidemic era.
Huang Jianchang. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)
Author | Hannah, Lanting (intern）
Editor | Wing, Keane, Will, Jerry
