Alex Bardel in his blue period at Nunc !

REPORT – The NUNC ! gallery presents a new artist from the 30th of January. Born in Grenoble, Alex Bardel studied at the Design School of Lyon, then in New Caledonia and came back to his first love, after a phase of abstract art and sculpture : painting and the absurd.

Exposition Alex Bardel Nunc Gallery à Grenoble

A little late, Alex Bardel arrived at the private viewing celebrating his exhibition, very stylish with a small goatee and a scarf around his neck. Born in Grenoble, he admits he « took off as fast as possible ». A thirst for travel which brought him to New Caledonia from 1996 to 2006, to better come back, since his paint shop is now situated in the heart of the Alps’ capital.

Nunc ! shows the favorite paintings of Eugénie Fauny, the gallery owner. The place is often invaded by tags and street-art. Tonight, the paintings hanging on the wall are all blue. A sea blue that takes an important part in the artist’s life. « This blue-green represents New Caledonia. After staying a long time on this island, I needed to leave but this colour remained ».

To live from one’s work

A heterogeneous artist, Alex Bardel does sculpture, abstract painting in large format and has exhibited all over the world. At the age of 48, back home, he brings a more business-like approach to his career. His objective: to sell enough to be able to live from his art.

« Before I had some small jobs to be able to live while painting. Now, I want to live from my work », assures the artist. That is why his paintings are small now. We are far from the time when his work measured 4 by 3 meters, movie set style.

His work has changed too. The artist’s universe has moved from total abstract in the 90’s to a more accessible figurative style. » abstract painting is old-fashioned. I’ve decided to return to my first love », explains the dreamy artist in front of one of his paintings.

Superimposition effects

In his painting, he draws his inspiration from his childhood games: « I used to make collages to create fake advertisements. I really like this superposition effect. » He mentions Erró, post-modern Icelandic artist specialised in this genre. But according to Alex Bardel, this technique creates artistic limits. « Once the collage is done, there is no way to modify the work. I want to carry on working on it. I create a decoupage », confides the artist.

Casser, Alex Bardel. The Chinese child, holding a lobster claw, threatens Jeff Koons’ piece of work. On his dungarees appear those sinograms: « I’m going to break you ». © Jean-Baptiste Auduc – placegrenet.fr

His crazy painting, tinged with a pro-American touch, shows some men dressed in suit and tie close to comics characters. The Ocean blue from New Caledonia becomes then the background of figurative scenes, bringing together excessive consumption and the collapse of an idealized America, overthrown by the Chinese giant. « I’ve never been there. It would be a big discovery for me », admits the artist. The piece of work entitled « Casser » is a great example of this geopolitical change.

Jean-Baptiste Auduc

Exhibition at the Nunc ! gallery until the 28th of February 2014
7 rue Génissieu, 38000 Grenoble

Translation by Sandra Bailly, Freelance translator EN-FR & Desktop Publishing Specialist
Tel: +33 6 95 87 15 27 – email : [email protected]

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Alex Bardel in his blue period at Nunc !

Alex Bardel in his blue period at Nunc !

REPORT – The NUNC ! gallery presents a new artist from the 30th of January. Born in Grenoble, Alex Bardel studied at the Design School of Lyon, then in New Caledonia and came back to his first love, after a phase of abstract art and sculpture : painting and the absurd.

Gardez un œil sur l'actu ! 👋

SB

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Tags : abstract art Alex Bardel Casser Nunc !

Tags : abstract art | Alex Bardel | Casser | Nunc !

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