April 19, 2019
Art Verge
Can you tell us about the process of making your work?
Fabien Adele
I often have colours in mind without necessarily having a concrete finale composition on a paper, even when I start directly with painting. Sometimes because I’m too impatient when it comes to my personal work. Though I always have the most of separate elements I want in it and trying to connect them visually by associating the colours on the canvas until I feel that it works.
I work as if it was a kind of collage of forms, in several times and few layers generally. Most of the time, I like to use a limited palette for a painting and play with different combinations. I rarely have an idea of what a painting I work on is going to look like exactly at the end. Don’t know if it’s good for me or not but I already have trouble leaving a work I’m on, so I feel like this moment would never happened if I functioned like that.
How would you define your work in a few words (ideally in 3 words)?
In progress, floating and poetic.
Would you use another three different words to describe the Quartier libre’ painting?
Vague, metaphorical and warm.
How did you come up with this painting idea? Is there any story behind this painting?
« Quartier libre »
For me, painting can be a long process that allows time toreasoning about my own work, sometimes very late in the creation, it’s the case for this painting. when I started to paint on this canvas, I only knew that I wanted a central standing character in the composition actually, I gradually built around it directly with oil. The body gesture and an associate colour are the elements of which I was sure from the beginning.
In my painting in general, I like to play more and more on the relation between space and character. I find a way to fade/hide a part of the figure with the environment I create around.
On this one, I really wanted to focus on the means of representation of memories and sensitive experiences. As abstract as they are becoming, I try to give them the appearance of recognizable forms. I like the idea of the object/place that recalls a specific moment in life that is now impalpable. Through representations, it give it a special meaning and consistency.
What colour is used the most in this painting?
Brown.
What would be the best way to exhibit your work?
I think the best case would be an exhibition as sensitive aspossible for visitors, so certainly associate my current work with other mediums ideally, but I hope that the way my work will evolve will tell me.
Can you mention any artists you, lately or generally, take inspiration from?
I became more interested in the paintings of Alex Colville and also George Tooker recently. Both of them illustrate people in a fascinating and very singular way to me.
How do you know when this painting was finished?
I never really feel that a painting is finished, but I knew I could leave this one when any of the elements I worked on it gave me enough material to continue on a next work.
What about the place where you work? What’s your studio space look like?
For the moment, I work in the space I live. I’d like to move my work as soon as possible. I think that keep a space especially for creation, apart from allowing more ambitious projects, is a good way to take a step back on what you do sometimes and then go forward in your process.
Is there any particular message that you wish your viewers can take from this painting?
Not really, if a viewer feel something about the imagerie I create, it’s all good for me. Certainly pleasure, as immediate as it is, it’s already agenuine entry to connect someway with what is in front of us, even for a moment actually.
What does your mum think about your art?
She used to paint too when I was a child and she is really enthusiastic about what I create, it’s truly encouraging for me.
Which exhibition did you visit last?
I went to see « Alphaville Noire » performances by Miles Greenberg at Palais de Tokyo (Paris).
Which are your plans for the near future?
Explore, learn and understand more.
Additional Works
Fabien Adele, Sage, 2018, oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm
Fabien Adele, Sweatshirt, 2018, oil on canvas, 100 x 81 cm
Fabien Adele, Écran Bleu, 2018, oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm
