Patrick Boussignac – The iconographic ingenuity

Esmeralda, 116cm x 114cm

The stunning collection of figurative paintings by Patrick Boussignac forms a personal and innovative visual universe pretty appealing. His canvases are generally representing in a realistic manner one or several characters, with multiples and diverse cultures ascendances. These characters are fascinating as they are bringing a subtle mix of erotic and anxiety (thinness, dimness, dizziness sensation, violence and even death representation).

The artist is staging his characters in a very theatrical manner by seizing classical patterns and themes from literature, art history and myths. Indeed, the amount of inspiration sources we can feel from Patrick Boussignac’s works is quite impressive. We easily can figure out his allusion to the realistic, orientalist, fantastic and surrealistic movements, to the Italian Renaissance painting and pre-raphaelism era, to some exotic or familiar cultural identities, to comic books, to fashion photography and to abstract art. The audience is thus projected in a sensitive and intellectual vision, which push oneself to the introspection and to a reflection on the look we grant to the piece of art in the museum.

Judith and Holopherne, (Private collection-Paris) 146x114 cm

Rhinomachie N°2, 165x130 cm

Could you briefly tell us about your artistic path?

I received at first a formation in applied arts to then specialize in “peintres de la Réalité” (painters of Reality) who are experts in mural trompe-l’oeil and old-fashioned techniques (like Henri Cadiou, Claude Yvel, Nadine Leprince, etc…). Afterwards, I met Gerard Di Maccio, who makes me try the fantastic painting style for a short period. I find also interest in poster creation, press illustration and comic books. Nevertheless, if I get inspired by all these experiences, I see myself as a painter above all and developing my own pictorial universe became quickly obvious. 

Saint Just, (Private Collection –Thionville)  61x50cm

Hypnosia, (Theatre Mogador Collection  -Paris) 130cmx 86 cm

I noticed some aspects of your canvases made innovative layouts if compared to classic painting. Are you inspired by specific movements, styles or artists?

 Of course, but often in an unconscious way, except for my first paintings where I clearly and impudently took my inspiration from Mondrian – say I was extending his work. But my unconscious is so full/packed of hundreds of hours spent in museum that my hand will one day or another builds up on something which touched or impressed me.

Running lady, (Private Collection – Kazakhstan) 116cmx140 cm

Starting block lady (80F) (Private collection-Avenue Foch Paris)

Praying lady, ( Private collection-Stuttgart) 100x81cm  

Could you detail what are your favorite techniques?

I use the most classic techniques of all: I sketch with tempura. Once I made the outline, I finalize my works with oil painting, sometimes realizing glazing or impaste aspects.

Le siège de la Rochelle, 195x130 cm

Vahiné renaissance, (Youkoulélé maid) 100x81 cm 

How important is figuration to you? Are you inspired by people, pictures or do your characters stem from your imagination?

I consider myself as lucky to have such a drawing gift and I try to make the most of it by working and training a lot. Realistic figuration deserves to me special attention because it is understandable and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, this style allows to show my dexterity. For each canvas, the preparation work is really important: documentation, pictures, color atmosphere, characters positioning, etc… Hence, I make preliminary sketches but as my creations are reflecting a personal vision, there is always an incidental part.

Le Vol d Icare, (Private Collection-Metz) 146x114cm

L’Offrande, 195x130 cm 

I could notice that you often make the interesting choice to mix several cultural identities around a classic theme. What is important to you in this type of representation and how do you chose iconographic patterns?

All is about putting ideas together, using metonymy. I am looking for similarity among different myths and religions to link them to different cultural ascendances. By cross-funding, I create representations staging diverse imaginaries, allowing a detachment and an innovative look on how questioning identities.

The truth, 100x100 cm

The Bermuda triangle, 130x162cm

Fantastic scenes are resulting from these replenishments, breaking up with the representative codes of art history, and intriguing art lovers. Patrick Boussignac’s canvases are full of multiple artistic references and cultural analogies. They get mixed up to create new iconographies by which the artist illustrates his own mythology.

I strongly advise the reader to take a look at the artist’s page where more of his work can be seen and bought.

http://www.boussignac.com/