Fanou Montel is a contemporary French painter. Montel embarked on her artistic journey with a profound affinity for figuration. As she honed her technical prowess, Montel underwent a transformative phase, transitioning into the realm of total abstraction. Engaging in a ceaseless exploration of material and the boundaries of her canvas, she found boundless joy in the creative struggle, unrestricted by anything other than the ultimate equilibrium of composition.
Montel's fascination with abstract art's global impact resonated deeply with her, recognizing the genuine and complete pleasure of creation. Evolving from total abstraction to semi-abstract figuration, the theme of landscape became a pervasive element in her work. Within the abstract landscapes, Montel discovered immense freedom in gesture and composition structuring, all while maintaining a visual foundation with subtle touches borrowed from reality or the imaginative realms inspired by reality. She aptly describes her paintings as 'readable abstractions.'
In recent years, Montel has sensed a compelling urge to draw closer to something more tangible. Rejecting the allure of total figuration, she acknowledges her love for drawing while recognizing its insufficiency for her artistic expression. Her desire is to immerse herself in the intoxication of abstract creation while infusing meaning into her work. This meaning is personal, and Montel materializes it through one or more subtle "earthly" signs. She emphasizes that the interpretation of her art is subjective, and each viewer may find a unique significance. Montel's current artistic trajectory reveals a heightened emphasis on geometrization, marking a distinct evolution in her creative journey.
Fanou Montel SIAC Marseille 2022
