Macro-sillons bleu jaune foncé 1/4 (2022) Printmaking by Jean Kittel

Jean Kittel is a contemporary French artist whose creative journey took shape after a distinguished career as a researcher in materials and corrosion spanning over 25 years. Despite his late start in the art world, Jean's passion for artistic expression had been simmering for a decade, influenced by the passage of time and the virtue of patience.

Rooted in his academic background, Jean's artistic practice is imbued with a scientific approach, emphasizing the fragility of human creations in the face of natural forces and the inexorable march of time. Drawing inspiration from the corrosion of metals, Jean explores themes of impermanence and transformation, reflecting on the historic significance of copper, bronze, and iron.

For Jean, corrosion is not merely a destructive force but a source of aesthetic intrigue. Through his work, he seeks to illuminate the beauty inherent in decay, capturing the haunting allure of corroded metal through the medium of printmaking. Influenced by artists such as Pierre Soulages and Hans Hartung, Jean employs the technique of printing etchings to immortalize the transient state of rust, breathing new life into materials that have succumbed to decay.

The use of metal oxides and carbonates as pigments further reinforces the connection between the aged metal matrix and its reproduction on paper, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two mediums. The resulting artworks, characterized by intricate textures and ochre hues, invite viewers to contemplate the poignant narrative of the metal's journey from creation to dissolution.

Jean's prints evoke a sense of both melancholy and wonder, inviting viewers to interpret them as reflections of lunar landscapes, Martian terrain, or celestial vistas. Through his work, Jean strives to provoke contemplation and dialogue, inviting viewers to confront the passage of time and the transient nature of existence. It is with great enthusiasm that Jean shares his creations, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the captivating world of his art.

• Nationality: FRANCE
• Date of birth : 1974
• Artistic domains: Works by professional artists,
• Groups: Professional Artist Contemporary French Artists