Lise Stoufflet French, b. 1989
Pleurer le ciel, 2021
Oil on canvas
50 x 60 cm
Copyright The Artist
With regards to this work, Lise Stoufflet (b. 1989) writes: 'It was a further exploration of a smaller work. From the subject matter and composition to the colour palette, I...
With regards to this work, Lise Stoufflet (b. 1989) writes:
"It was a further exploration of a smaller work. From the subject matter and composition to the colour palette, I tried to replicate the emotion that we perceive when thinking about the universe. I am very sensitive to this topic, especially the cosmos, stars and the infinity of the universe itself. All of these weigh heavily on my inspiration, particularly astrophysics because it makes us see the world in a different light. This notion of observation and sight is a key focal point in the painting. The thick tears that flow from the eyes are not tears of sadness rather tears of varying emotions. My realisation for the character in the image is that they could be a personification of the cosmos crying; alternatively a person crying whilst staring at the stars in our universe."
In her work, Stoufflet explores the object as a possible overflow of the fictional images she builds. Her works are innocently disconcerting and beautifully surreal. Narrative is richly present in her paintings, the story is not always clear and, oftentimes, unsettling. Part of this tension arises from Stoufflet’s beautifully contained manipulation of color, which marries a contrast of pastel and soft colors with rich, dark hues creating atmospheres of mystery and intrigue. Each piece is a snapshot of a larger whole, a
hint of a story without really revealing anything about what is going on. These moments are richly evocative of something, and Stoufflet is almost toying with the viewer, dangling the thread of answers before their eyes, yet showing almost nothing at all.
"It was a further exploration of a smaller work. From the subject matter and composition to the colour palette, I tried to replicate the emotion that we perceive when thinking about the universe. I am very sensitive to this topic, especially the cosmos, stars and the infinity of the universe itself. All of these weigh heavily on my inspiration, particularly astrophysics because it makes us see the world in a different light. This notion of observation and sight is a key focal point in the painting. The thick tears that flow from the eyes are not tears of sadness rather tears of varying emotions. My realisation for the character in the image is that they could be a personification of the cosmos crying; alternatively a person crying whilst staring at the stars in our universe."
In her work, Stoufflet explores the object as a possible overflow of the fictional images she builds. Her works are innocently disconcerting and beautifully surreal. Narrative is richly present in her paintings, the story is not always clear and, oftentimes, unsettling. Part of this tension arises from Stoufflet’s beautifully contained manipulation of color, which marries a contrast of pastel and soft colors with rich, dark hues creating atmospheres of mystery and intrigue. Each piece is a snapshot of a larger whole, a
hint of a story without really revealing anything about what is going on. These moments are richly evocative of something, and Stoufflet is almost toying with the viewer, dangling the thread of answers before their eyes, yet showing almost nothing at all.
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