Fabien Boitard on Political Painting, Polyfacture, and the Power of Destruction
In an interview with Orianne Castel for Art Critique, French artist Fabien Boitard, represented by Galerie Pauline Renard, delves into his politically engaged artwork. Renowned for his 'polyfacture' technique, he highlights significant works such as a painting featuring two women wearing gas masks beneath the French flag, created during Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency. His piece 'Dragon… d'après souvenir n°1' (2023) contemplates the Hamas attack on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. The 2020 work 'Bâillon n°5' critiques mask mandates from the COVID pandemic. Through his 'Puissants' series, he challenges idolatry by tearing apart portraits of influential figures like Emmanuel Macron (2019) and Bernard Arnault. His 'Grimaces' series addresses police brutality, while 'Vanité/Camembert' juxtaposes skulls with statistical charts, emphasizing the limitations of art in enacting political change.
Key facts
- Fabien Boitard is a French painter represented by Galerie Pauline Renard.
- He is the originator of 'polyfacture', a method combining different painterly registers.
- His painting of two women in gas masks under the French flag was created during the end of Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency.
- The painting 'Dragon… d'après souvenir n°1' (2023) was inspired by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
- The painting 'Bâillon n°5' (2020) was made during COVID and was used to illustrate an article in Le Monde diplomatique.
- His 'Puissants' series includes portraits of Emmanuel Macron and Bernard Arnault, which he tears to reveal a tie on the reverse.
- The 'Grimaces' series was started during the Gilets Jaunes protests, depicting disfigured faces.
- His 'Vanité/Camembert' paintings combine statistical diagrams with skulls as contemporary vanities.
- Boitard's work was exhibited at Galerie Derouillon in Paris in 2019.
- He believes art does not change things but serves as a trace of its time, citing Guernica as an example.
Entities
Artists
- Fabien Boitard
- Orianne Castel
- Emmanuel Macron
- Bernard Arnault
- Nicolas Sarkozy
- Vincent Bolloré
Institutions
- Galerie Pauline Renard
- Galerie Derouillon
- Le Monde diplomatique
- Art Critique
- Fondation Vuitton
- FRAC
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Rouen
- Berlin
- Israel
- Europe