We invite you to the Séraphine gallery's next exhibition, Candide, in June, to explore the vibrant worlds of Patricia Dubois and Rosario Heins. This first pair exhibition unveils a unique dialogue between these talented artists who, through a captivating mix of paintings and drawings, examine the childish and whimsical nature of consumer culture. Candide immerses us in a joyful, lively and colorful universe filled with inflatable buoys, cotton candy and charming creatures that will seduce the child in you at first sight. Yet upon closer inspection, the deeper motivations behind these seemingly innocent depictions become clear. Both artists expose the frivolous consumerism and eccentricities of modern society. Against a pristine white backdrop, tourists gaze into the distance as their feet gently sink into the sand. Freshly cut mangoes excite the taste buds. Brightly colored inflatable buoys, carried by beach vendors, promise a moment of relaxation and freedom.
While most of Rosario Heins' works seem to embody lightness, leisure, and carefreeness, they further explore the complex fabric of Colombian society, revealing the hidden struggles of those who live on the fringes of the tourist economy. Rosario Heins is a keen observer of modern life. Her gaze is never a judgment, but rather an invitation to immerse oneself in human experiences, which she depicts with frankness and without compromise. To create her works, Heins draws inspiration from the photos of tourists and loved ones that she captures in her native Colombia. The influence of photography on his creative process is evident in his meticulous attention to framing and lighting. However, its aim is not to represent what the camera records, but to imbue the image with its own emotional resonance by exaggerating a line, softening a shadow or intensifying a look. In an artistic interpretation, vaguely reminiscent of the photographs of Martin Parr, the artist elevates the banality of Colombian daily life to the level of art. In another section of the gallery, a child slumped on an inflatable peacock looks at the viewer with a weariness that contrasts with his younger years. The air of carefreeness is gone, replaced by a dark introspection that speaks volumes about the state of the modern world. The peacock, symbol of vanity and material pleasure, now appears as a parody of the supposed grandeur of contemporary society. In a series of brightly colored works, Patricia Dubois highlights, with a unique blend of social observation and sometimes satire, the disillusionments that infest modern society. In this work, as in the entire series, a palpable tension exists between the artificial world and the natural world. The polished and meticulously worked surfaces of the artificial environment, represented by the animal buoys, contrast with the wild and untamed beauty of nature. This tension ultimately reveals the futility of attempting to conquer or completely separate oneself from nature.
As seen in “Fountain of Youth III: Be Water, My Friend,” Patricia Dubois frequently incorporates legendary tales into her pieces with a touch of humor. In this work, she depicts a cheerful figure resembling an elderly version of Bruce Lee, soaring through the air on an inflatable buoy, surrounded by a gang of playful dogs. The viewer is invited to reflect on the essence of youth – not as a fleeting moment, but as an enduring spirit that can flourish even in the twilight of years. Dubois' world is located between reality and dreams, bright, colorful, offbeat and falsely candid. Keeping societal realities in mind, Rosario Heins and Patricia Dubois each deliver a unique description of the world in which they live while incorporating a touch of play, freedom and lightness. They invite us to question the appeal of consumption and its promises of happiness and fulfillment. Behind the sparkling colors and the promise of “more” lies a human desire to be entertained and feel joy. A desire that resonates deeply with the innocence and wonder of childhood.
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