This exhibit is the first time Arthur Lemonier has featured new paintings in London. Here in Primrose Hill at The Art Office, Lemonier shows portraits developed through his study of bodies and emotions, ‘what is seen and what is lived’. Examining contrasts and uncertainty, this exhibition explores what there is inside us. Imagery leaps out at the viewer by making them question various social and physical boundaries, identifying vulnerability. It casts the viewer as witnesses, based on how they could be making any of these facial expressions regardless of what they might be feeling or any situation they are in. Two of his paintings strongly stood out towards me which I will discuss below.
TRANSPARENCY STUDY
Transparency Study strongly stood out for me because the character makes a facial expression as if they were in pain. Arthur created this painting based around how the old artists used to paint, to explore historic ways of painting. It shows how old techniques have developed. It doesn’t have a fixed emotion. You couldn’t say what it is meant to look like. It could look different any day of the week. This painting is made in Arthur’s image. It is a photograph of the instant. The colour is used to take other forms.
EXPIRED WORDS
Expired Words caught my attention because the person in the painting looks as though they are in shock. Arthur developed it through studying techniques and shutting down the techniques. Expired Words is about the theme of elusiveness. Arthur painted this portrait using a photograph of himself screaming. This one is different from the others because of the shape of the face which is suggestive. The work is done through chinless and jawless face. Arthur made it a bigger canvas.
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