Hugo Bonamin's War Portraits and Wooden Dome at Saint-Merri
Hugo Bonamin (born 1979) has been in residence at the crypt of Église Saint-Merri in Paris since 2005, where he paints 'war portraits' under electric light. Seven of these large-format works (190 x 210 cm) were recently exhibited in the chapels above. The tightly framed faces vary in style: some recall Fayum mummy portraits, others evoke Tony Scherman's 1990s Napoleonic paintings, and some emerge from hazy brushwork reminiscent of Philippe Cognée's rare portraits. Bonamin is also constructing a six-meter-diameter wooden dome to be suspended in the nave to improve acoustics for classical concerts; it will feature a monumental painted face and is slated for inauguration at Easter. He will exhibit in 2009 at Akar Prakar gallery in India.
Key facts
- Hugo Bonamin was born in 1979.
- He first installed chairs in Église Saint-Merri for Nuit Blanche 2005.
- He has since been in residence in the crypt of the church.
- He paints 'war portraits' in a 190 x 210 cm format.
- Seven portraits were recently shown in the chapels.
- The portraits reference Fayum portraits, Tony Scherman, and Philippe Cognée.
- Bonamin is building a six-meter-diameter wooden dome for the nave.
- The dome will improve sound diffusion and feature a monumental face.
- Inauguration is planned for Easter.
- He will exhibit at Akar Prakar gallery in India in 2009.
Entities
Artists
- Hugo Bonamin
- Tony Scherman
- Philippe Cognée
Institutions
- Église Saint-Merri
- Akar Prakar
Locations
- Paris
- France
- India
Sources
- artpress —