Albert Palma: From Fire to Calligraphy

Albert Palma, a French artist, began his artistic journey at age 28 after a near-fatal accident. While performing as a fire-eater in Frank Cassenti's film 'L'Affiche rouge', he inhaled flames, causing lung damage and subsequent deafness and loss of balance due to antibiotics. After despair, a friend sent him to Japan to train under Master Aoki, a sword master who lost his family in the Hiroshima bombings. For 30 years, Palma practiced the sword, also studying calligraphy and ancient philosophies. His art now features calligraphic lines and abstract diagrams, often created on large horizontal surfaces. His work is described as 'anthropological', rooted in the body and abstraction. The exhibition at Espace Art Roch presented some works flat to honor their conception.