Ex Voto PGR "Pour La Joie de Vivre" by Cécile Guicheteau.

Features:

Acrylic and graphite on canvas

Dimensions: 60 x 45 cm
Year: 2018

The Artwork:

The series ex voto series is inspired by sacred imagery, according to which if one asks to be pardoned by the divine and pardon is granted, an ex voto is offered (for pardon received).

These works of aim to let the viewer feel the strength of a promise attached to a wall and made leaving all traces of time. It is nailed to the wall and then pulled, sometimes smoked. These gestures are part of a sacredness that is not only divine but is mainly about faith. In this case thanks are given for succeeding despite the difficulties in life, preserving one's joie de vivre.

The work was exhibited in Japan in 2018 at the Torre dos Cielos gallery in Itoshima.

The Artist:

Cécile Guicheteau, 1974 Cholet (FR), is a contemporary artist. After graduating in art from the Pivaut institute in Nantes, for years she has worked in Paris as a decorator for television and collaborated with numerous galleries. In 2008 she published "Tortueuse Fantasy", with Michel Archimbaud, author of the last interviews with Francis Bacon. She has carried out several exhibitions abroad: Italy, USA, Canada, Japan and the Grand Palais in Paris. In 2016 she completed a permanent exhibition at the Di Tucheng Museum in China after spending 45 days there for an artistic residence. In 2017/2018 she exhibited at the Torre dos Cielos gallery in Japan and later won the UNESCO Open-Air Museum project (2019) in Praiano, on the Amalfi Coast. Her works are present in museums and private collections.

She says about herself: I don't try to be a witness of my time, I don't try to comment on anything, the universe that I express is part of my inner world, stuff of writing or legends. All this comes through me and ends up on the canvas together with my experiences. For some time now I have been trying to forget what I have learned in such a way as to let my childish hand guide my work.