Exposition Initial'Arty par Jean-Marc Ploquet

Jean-Marc PLOQUET, a native of Paray-le-Monial, will be hanging around fifty portraits of artists (of which only he has the secret!) in the gallery of the Villa Médicis priory in Autun.

For many years now, this sixty-something artist, who is passionate about the arts and culture, has been trying his hand at an artistic creation that he himself defines as "Initial'Arty".

Meet Jean Nohain:

"My creative passion is born of real or imagined encounters with sensitive personalities from the world of art and culture", explains the artist. He recalls the year 1976 and his meeting with Jean Nohain (at the time the TV host of "36 Chandelles") at Moulins station. Waiting for a connecting train to Paris, Nohain had the thoughtfulness to chat for a long time in the park opposite the station. "He told me all about his life in Paris, his recordings of the 36 Chandelles... in his kitchen! His lifelong friends, Montand, Salvador, Sablon, Mireille, Trenet, the little debutante Barbara... and a certain Edith! He said to me: "Believe in yourself young man, look how wonderful life is".
It was a moment of grace! I was 21, he was 76.

Jean-Marc PLOQUET will be the guest of Mr Joseph MARSOLLIER and Ms Annabelle PY-PACAUD, Director and Resident Advisor of the Villa Médicis in Autun, which is organising this event open to all.

A method all his own:

"To draw the portrait by hand, I use the framework of the initial of the person's first name and surname, which is the basic structure of the creation. I do my best to follow the line of each letter... The magic happens; I climb the scaffolding of the imagination in the contortion of the line... of the skeleton of the letter. The portrait comes to life and becomes a symbol of life... forever".

Inspired by human beings and their destiny:

Jean-Marc PLOQUET is constantly on the lookout for emotions and likes to transcribe them in his work; "My source of inspiration is you, it's you, it's the human being facing his destiny... These are my portraits that I present to you in an emotional shock, a timeless vibration."

The exhibition will also focus on his "scrap metal" inspirations, a tribute to those who, as he puts it, "shape his life's path", a path of creation made possible by assembling the "skeletons of time" that are the old tools of yesteryear.

This exhibition is for the curious, the unusual, the whimsical... A great opportunity to meet and share, not to be missed!

Show less