The exhibition of eleven contemporary artists from the Égrégore associative gallery continues until November 24. A panel of painters and sculptors chosen by Christian Norberguen, exhibition curator, art critic, representing different artistic movements. Among them, Jean-Michel Thomasson, a painter who traveled to many countries, with stops in Bordeaux, Marmande, then Casteljaloux.
Painting, a family tradition. He started drawing at a very young age, so the Fine Arts were a natural choice for Marseille, his hometown. In 1971, he joined the Faculty of Plastic Arts in Paris, degree course, DEUG, Capes. A first post in Normandy where he taught drawing; the cliffs of Étretat will satisfy his pictorial passion. Then, he was transferred to Tangier where the Moroccan doors inspired him; its first exhibition at the Delacroix cultural center was a hit: the whole was acquired by the King of Kuwait. The cooperation lasted seven years, and he returned to Marmande, “a sweet town” he says. In Bordeaux, he exhibited at the gallery The Third Eye: “It worked well, but I was tired of being on the same line, a need to go further, a desire to evolve. In Périgueux, I had the chance to meet Jean-Pierre Dall’Anèse, a famous sculptor, who directed me to Mac 2000, a contemporary art market. A first selection that I exhibited at the Grand Palais in Paris, then in Korea, in Seoul… I created large canvases, it was total freedom. » The artist uses various materials, coatings, projections of colored acrylic, walnut husk… according to his desires, then a stripped down period, zen, white, black, brown on old sheets. “An empty period followed. I was a little at the end of what I was looking for, I had found my aesthetic ideal. »
Jean Guérard, a long-time friend, confides: “Jean-Michel’s latest paintings seduced me, as did several art lovers including Christian Norbergen. » Paintings designed after the walls of Marmande, traces, stains, colors inspired him…
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