{"id":48373,"date":"2024-10-06T15:28:29","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T13:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=48373"},"modified":"2024-10-07T14:40:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T12:40:38","slug":"charles-belle-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/06\/charles-belle-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlighted by Luxus Magazine, let’s learn more about the French painter Charles Belle with an interview"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Why not painting on a Simply Red<\/strong><\/em> wall, like Charles Belle<\/strong>?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Charles Belle, a renowned French painter, is known for his unique approach to nature through monumental works. His style oscillates between a realism imbued with softness and an expressive and sensual gesture. His prolific career, which spans over 40 years, has allowed him to produce nearly 10,000 paintings and 20,000 drawings, a body of work marked by a diversity of themes and tones. Belle is distinguished by his artistic independence, remaining faithful to his own creative line.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Born into a modest family in Rochejean, where his father was a baker, Belle turned to the arts at a very early age. He joined the \u00c9cole R\u00e9gionale des Beaux-Arts in Besan\u00e7on, where he obtained his DNSEP in 1979. In parallel with his work as an artist, he became a photographer for the Mus\u00e9e du Temps in Besan\u00e7on and taught drawing, notably at the \u00c9cole des Beaux-Arts in Mulhouse. <\/strong>By AP & ST<\/em><\/p>\n

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Bright colors<\/strong> often bring some communicative joy<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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From the beginning, Charles Belle<\/strong><\/a>‘s paintings<\/strong> and drawings<\/strong>, which tend to capture everyday scenes, such as landscapes<\/strong> or simple objects<\/strong>, stand out from the academic<\/strong> teachings of our contemporary<\/strong> times. Despite this, they are quickly spotted and acquired by collectors<\/strong> and institutions<\/strong>, such as the National Fund for Contemporary Art<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n

Faced with criticism<\/strong> of his status as an artist<\/strong>, it seems that Charles Belle<\/strong> began painting<\/strong> as a challenge. He chose geraniums<\/strong><\/em>, a banal and non-noble subject<\/strong>, to prove his talent<\/strong>. This series<\/strong> is very successful, and his pictorial exploration of flowers<\/strong> becomes emblematic, although Charles Belle<\/strong> always remains attached to other varied themes<\/strong>. What may fascinate in his work<\/strong> is undoubtedly this constant quest for the invisible<\/strong>, for what goes beyond the frame of the canvas <\/strong>(photo credits: No\u00e9mie Belle-Paya<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Admire the energy, emanating from Hominien dont je me souviens<\/strong><\/em>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Step by step, Charles Belle<\/strong>‘s career has turning into an international<\/strong> influence. Thus, his artworks<\/strong> are regularly presented at the biggest contemporary art fairs<\/strong>, notably at Art Basel<\/strong><\/em>, FIAC<\/strong><\/em>, and Art Paris<\/strong><\/em>. Therefore, he often exhibits in Paris<\/strong>, but also in New York<\/strong>, Seoul<\/strong>, and Beirut<\/strong>. Among his most striking realizations, we may count on Hominien dont je me souviens<\/strong><\/em>, an auto-posthumous portrait<\/strong>, made in 1994<\/strong>, as particularly evocative<\/strong>. This painting<\/strong>, which depicts a skull<\/strong>, emerging from a black background<\/strong>, constitutes an intimate reflection on death<\/strong> and identity<\/strong>, giving this vanity<\/strong> an autobiographical dimension<\/strong>. Therefore, Charles Belle<\/strong> approaches painting<\/strong> as a perpetual process<\/strong>. According to him, none of his artworks<\/strong> are finished as long as they are in his studio<\/strong>. Indeed, he always wishes to rework<\/strong> them, cover<\/strong> them, transform<\/strong> them, often years after their first creation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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La Saline Royale <\/strong><\/em>hosted this very inspired giant exhibition<\/strong>, named “La For\u00eat des Images”<\/strong><\/em>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That’s why, we could say that most of his paintings<\/strong> are still alive<\/strong>, constantly evolving<\/strong>, testifying<\/strong> to a search for balance between the ephemeral<\/strong> and the permanent<\/strong> phases. This approach<\/strong> somehow reflects his desire to capture the light<\/strong>, vibrations<\/strong>, and energy of creation<\/strong>, often without using black<\/strong> color, except in rare exceptions<\/strong>, such as this previously pictured Hominien dont je me souviens<\/strong><\/em>. While his paintings<\/strong> are widely recognized, Charles Belle<\/strong> also attaches great importance to drawing<\/strong>. Unlike other artists<\/strong>, he does not consider drawing<\/strong> as a simple preparatory<\/strong> process, but as a real achievement<\/strong> in its own right. Therefore, some of his drawings<\/strong>, just as imposing as his paintings<\/strong>, reveal the same mastery<\/strong> and sensitivity<\/strong>. Without forgetting that Charles Belle<\/strong>‘s universe has also inspired filmmaker Fran\u00e7ois Royet<\/strong>. In 2022<\/strong>, the latter made a documentary film<\/strong> about the artist<\/strong>, visible in theaters<\/strong>, entitled Par-del\u00e0 les silences<\/strong><\/em>, that followed the Caption 01, ce chou is beau<\/strong><\/em> film project. <\/p>\n

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An other example from his outdoor<\/strong> realizations..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This close collaboration<\/strong>, born from the desire to capture Charles Belle<\/strong>‘s creative process<\/strong>, resulted in more than 300 hours<\/strong> of rushes filming the artist<\/strong> in his studio<\/strong>, revealing the depth<\/strong> and complexity<\/strong> of his imagination. Finally, in 2010<\/strong>, we have learned that Charles Belle<\/strong> created an in situ<\/strong><\/em> piece, at the summit of Mont d’Or<\/strong>, near his native village<\/strong>. This project, which revolves around a beech tree<\/strong>, battered by the elements, reflects the intensity of his relationship with nature<\/strong>. Despite the storms<\/strong> that destroyed his initial installation<\/strong>, the painter<\/strong> has persevered and created a series of monumental paintings<\/strong> where the tree<\/strong>, a symbol of resilience<\/strong>, became the heart of his artistic<\/strong> expression.<\/p>\n

Thus, Charles Belle<\/strong>‘s imaginary is distinguished by a deeply personal<\/strong> approach, both in resonance with the elements of nature<\/strong> and in perpetual quest for meaning<\/strong> and emotion<\/strong>. Such a good reason to ask him some questions about his rich path<\/strong> and his upcoming projects<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Natural<\/strong> vibes, again and again..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

– Charles<\/span> Belle, you say you enjoy exploring deep and intimate themes through your monumental works, capturing the beauty of nature. Could you introduce yourself as an artist?<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It\u2019s a great privilege<\/strong> and a great source of happiness<\/strong>, being a painter<\/strong>. I have faith in creation<\/strong>, in beauty<\/strong> and in art as savours of life<\/strong>. The splendour of things<\/strong>, different lights<\/strong> and colours<\/strong>, they help me experience the poetry<\/strong> of each passing moment<\/strong>\u2026 and I take great pleasure<\/strong>. I paint<\/strong>, I draw, I paint, I draw<\/strong>\u2026 <\/div>\n
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– What is the main philosophy and style of your Art?<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
That \u00e9lan<\/strong><\/em> and that desire<\/strong> to paint are not planned. Painting<\/strong> is an act of love that helps me think and helps me live<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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– What are your main influences?<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
My main influences are tenderness<\/strong>, beauty<\/strong>, strength<\/strong>, music<\/strong> and breezes<\/strong>, rhythm<\/strong> and smiles<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
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– How often and where do you show your artworks in exhibitions, when is the next one?<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
Since 1978<\/strong>, I\u2019ve regularly exhibited my drawings<\/strong> and paintings<\/strong>, at over 250<\/strong> exhibitions. The next exhibitions<\/strong> are still in the project<\/strong> phase. But in the meantime, I\u2019ll welcome you to my studio<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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\"\"– Could you tell us more about your collaboration with Luxus Magazine?<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
Luxus Magazine<\/strong><\/em> invited me to participate in its annual event<\/strong> at the Pavillon \u00c9lys\u00e9e<\/strong><\/em> in Paris<\/strong>. The presence of a painter<\/strong>, at such an event<\/strong> dedicated to luxury<\/strong>, is rather unexpected<\/strong> and I think that\u2019s exactly what makes it interesting<\/strong>. Certain persons<\/strong> were moved or unsettled by my paintings<\/strong>. In the effervescence<\/strong><\/em> of such a soir\u00e9e<\/strong><\/em>, thus managing to touch a few persons<\/strong>, constitutes an opening onto other mysterious<\/strong> and intense territories<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t work for everyone<\/strong>, but some of us savour that particular happiness<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
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More details on his official website<\/strong><\/a> and on Luxus Magazine<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/div>\n
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