Amélie Bertrand's Playful Paintings at Galerie Semiose

Amélie Bertrand's exhibition at Galerie Semiose in Paris, from January 12 to February 16, 2013, showcases her distinctive painting practice. Bertrand, who composes her works on Photoshop before transferring them to canvas, blends video game aesthetics with abstract art influences, despite not playing games herself. Her paintings feature bright colors and synthetic forms, with a matte, satin finish reminiscent of computer screens. Previously known for large-scale, absurd visual assemblages like 'Springbreak' (2009) depicting a pool-dancefloor with a metal diving board, she now experiments with smaller formats, zooming into details from her larger works such as a yellow pipe or a piece of camouflage tarp. Metal chains sometimes structure the composition. The works are becoming more abstract, with volume and shadow taking precedence over narrative. The exhibition title 'Rock Around the Bunker (again)' references a previous show at the same gallery, echoing a Gainsbourg-inspired refrain.