Jérôme Hémain, a contemporary French artist, found his artistic calling driven by a profound exploration of themes encompassing the cosmos, vitality, energetic fields, rhythm, growth, states of minds, evolution, self-control, harmony, and balance among the elements. This thematic richness forms the core of his creative vision, guiding his expressive journey into the intricacies of existence.
Having earned a BA and an MA of art from the Royal College of Arts and Design in London, Hémain initially dedicated himself to sculpture in free open spaces. This commitment laid the foundation for his artistic identity, infusing his practice with a tangible connection to the physical world. His transition to abstract painting marked a continuation of his inclination toward "making things," embedding the process of creation within the realm of painting.
In a more recent evolution of his artistic approach, Hémain has embraced figurative painting, drawn to its political resonance and the imperative to respond in a concrete manner to the complexities of contemporary times. This shift reflects his commitment to engaging with the world through his art, using figurative elements to convey messages and reflections on the socio-political landscape.
Jérôme Hémain's artistic journey is a dynamic exploration of form, concept, and socio-political engagement, weaving together the abstract and the figurative to create a nuanced and compelling body of work that reflects his evolving perspectives on the world.
It is looking at this particular photography (taken by Paul Strand in the year 1918) with the idea of using it as model for a portrait-painting, that i decided to represent Georgia O'Keeffe at least to paint this second study in acrylic on canvas. I misst the fact that i did not have the proper photography actualy printed on paper even on a poor quality paper as in Newspapers which i affectionate for this porous poor materiality which resonate with the painting itself - a bit like this portrait of a woman by Paul Strand taken more than a century ago resonate today. Of course the life and career the character that once was Georgia O'Keeffe made her very appealing to me but i found that with this very photography i could pursue my work about the "model" the rendering of a human face "le visage" in art, and how materiality - a traditional painting process - affect if not produce expression and truth
