Overview
D'or et d'eau / Gold and Water, 2023
"Elegance in tradition"
Contemporary Ode to Japanese women
• Damien Bassez's contemporary portrayal of Japanese geisha women in traditional kimonos is a harmonious blend of artistic innovation and cultural reverence. Through a meticulous interplay of color, form, and cultural symbolism, the artist invites viewers to explore a world where tradition meets modernity, and where the strength and grace of Japanese femininity are celebrated with every brushstroke.
• At the heart of Damien Bassez's collection are the resplendent portraits of Japanese women adorned in traditional kimonos. These iconic garments serve as a timeless gateway to the rich tapestry of Eastern heritage, a theme recurrent and omnipresent in the artist's body of work. The meticulous attention to detail in the rendering of each woman's attire is nothing short of mesmerizing, reflecting both technical prowess and a deep respect for the cultural significance embedded in every fold of fabric.
• What sets Bassez's oeuvre apart is his ability to transcend the conventional and infuse vivacious color into the serene world he creates. The artist boldly juxtaposes traditional motifs, such as Fuji mountain, cranes, and sakura flowers, against a backdrop of intense hues reminiscent of a fiery sunset. The result is a captivating paradox—serene, zen-like imagery set ablaze with vibrant, almost vivacious, colors.
• The gaze of each subject in Damien Bassez's paintings is an entry point into a world of depth and emotion. The eyes, profound and expressive, are windows to the soul, conveying a fiery confidence that resonates with the viewer. It is as if the artist has captured not only the external beauty but also the internal strength and spirit of these Japanese women. Their collective presence on canvas exudes an aura of empowerment, each figure standing as a testament to the resilience and grace embedded in the cultural fabric they represent.
• Bassez's masterful use of gold leaf adds an extra layer of symbolism to his work. The delicate application of this precious material serves as a metaphor for the inherent value and timeless beauty found in both the subjects and the cultural traditions they embody.
• Damien Bassez's latest collection captivates the observer with a profound exploration of Japanese femininity, showcased through a striking fusion of oil, acrylic, and gold leaf on canvas. The artist, with his deft strokes and keen eye for detail, masterfully unveils the essence of traditional Japanese culture while infusing a vibrant contemporary energy into each piece.
Installation shots
Biography
A French Art Professor
• Born in 1976 in Valenciennes, where he lives and works, Damien Bassez studied fine arts at Lille. As a self-taught artist, he dedicates his energy to painting.
• Firstly, a sudden and innate passion that accompanies you in the form of drawings on the corner of a school notebook. Then, fueled by the canvases of a father exploring abstraction, the appetite grows, the eyes feed. It's time to learn, to master knowledge, to get to know the men who have made the history of painting. Thanks to them, one takes a position, asserts oneself, launches into it...
"Painting is a verb that conjugates in all tenses. I have painted, I paint, and I will paint. Yes, the rhythm is set, every moment is devoted to it, each painting sets the tone. Just as pictorial material marks the cotton canvas, the artwork crystallizes a moment of your life.
The easel then becomes the stage for a play in which you are the unwitting hero."
• What hides behind this word, this verb, this action? First, a sudden and innate passion that accompanies you in the form of drawings on the corner of a school notebook. Then, fueled by the canvases of a father who explores abstraction, the appetite grows, the eyes feed. It's time to learn, to master one's knowledge, to get to know those men who have made the history of painting. Thanks to them, one takes a position, asserts oneself, launches into it...
• Exhibitions:
Since 2023, Art Yī becomes the exclusive art gallery of the artist in Belgium.
The artworks of Damien Bassez have been exhibited in Lille, Honfleur, Knokke.
And the new shows continues with us...
Video
Works
