- An exhibition of new works by French artist Claire Denarie-Soffietti
- Art in the Yard Gallery
- The Yard, 38 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek,
- 021 876 4280 or art@artintheyard.co.za
Opening Saturday 24th October 2015 from 11am – 2pm
Exhibition runs from 24th October to 14th November 2015
Claire Denarie-Soffietti was born and raised in Versaille, France and was an autodidactic art student from the outset.
Claire has lived and exhibited in many different countries, from the notorious “Sandy Lane” in Barbados with clients such as Pavarotti and Cliff Richards, to the creative streets of Chelsea New York at Agora Art Gallery. Claire exhibited in Canada, Montreal, where she won first prize in “Best international emerging artist of 2013”.
Claire now resides in Cape Town with her architect husband and four children and has found success in both Cape Town and Johannesburg galleries. Most recently Claire has been exhibiting at Walker Bay Art Gallery, Hermanus and at The Grand Beach Café, Granger Bay, Cape Town. Both collectors and the media have loved her work,she was featured in Habitat magazine, on Top Billing as well as House and Garden. Denarie depicts quiet moments: serene portraits; a tranquil woodland path; a woman lounging on a chair. From Pink Elephants to Charlie Chaplin’s and Coco Chanels. However, the colours are more intense than in reality, while the compositions are so tightly framed that they become dynamic, and the portrait subjects never reveal all to the viewer. Soffietti’ figures have secrets, and hint at an interior world within the picture frame. It is her wonderfully palpable painting style and bold colour choice that makes the 2D picture world seem more real than our very own. There is this element of distortion evident in her pieces. When asked whether this sensationalizes any particular personal interpretation of the world, and life, this artist always responds:
‘Nothing pleases me more than the grotesque of human nature! I don’t do pretty and I become colour-blind when it comes to pastels and sober colours’. Nature and human nature, for Denarie, are perfect and ought to remain untouched in its finished state. She allows herself to marvel, not to comprehend. The artist admits: ‘I paint to translate the absurdities of my mind, and stop when it fails to entertain me’.
- A wonderful unique artist with a passion for depicting her world delivered with dedicated craftsmanship and skill. Energy, tension and Imagination.
- Opening at Art in the Yard, Franschhoek, Saturday 24th October 2015
- For high res images and more information please email art@artintheyard.co.za or telephone 021 876 4280
- www.artintheyard.co.za
