Les Barbies (2019) Painting by Manuel Dampeyroux

"The Barbies" Oil on canvas 81x130cm __________ This painting is a still life representing a table with a white tablecloth where a multitude of barbies are placed as well as a jar with Siamese babies inside. This painting speaks of the depths of the human soul. Indeed, the human being is at the center of my painting which is not political and does not aim to denounce large institutions or the consumer society, it is a kind of study with a scalpel of the inner world which has its roots in human duality. The goal is to approach this “thing”, this grain of sand which derails the machine, this entity that we cannot name or represent in a concrete way. The human is a very imperfect being filled with flaws and contradictions, my work is above all turned towards him, there is no question of idealizing him or of betraying the reality of human nature and of inventing man perfect. I tried here to give shape to the ambiguity that characterizes the human being with an ensemble halfway between candid and frightening. Siamese represent twinness, duality and can have a disturbing aspect while barbies are synonymous with fun and gaiety and balance the general appreciation of the work. To paint the pallid flesh of babies, I thought of the corpses of Théodore Géricault's “raft of the medusa” with these particular greenish tints. The barbies are painted with the greatest possible delicacy. The crumpled tablecloth in the shape of a rough sea symbolizes the turmoil of the mind. _____________ This painting is a still life representing a table with a white tablecloth where are placed a multitude of barbies as well as a jar with Siamese babies inside. This painting speaks of the depths of the human soul. Indeed, the human being is at the center of my painting which is not political and does not aim to denounce the great institutions or the consumer society, it is a kind of scalpel study of the inner world which takes its roots in human duality. The goal is to approach this “thing”, this grain of sand that derails the machine, this entity that cannot be named or represented in a concrete way. The human being is an imperfect being filled with flaws and contradictions, my work is first of all turned towards him, there is no question of idealizing him or betraying the reality of human nature and inventing the perfect man. I have tried here to give shape to the ambiguity that characterizes the human being with a set halfway between candid and scary. The Siamese represent the twine, duality and can have a disturbing aspect while the barbies are synonymous with fun and gaiety and come balanced the general appreciation of the work. To paint the blafard pulpit of babies I thought of the corpses of the "raft of the jellyfish" of Théodore Géricault with these particular greenish hues. The barbies are painted as delicately as possible. The ruffled tablecloth in the shape of a rough sea symbolizes the tumult of the spirit.

Related themes

Nature MorteLumièreCouleursBarbiesOmbres