It is really difficult to dissociate my personal life from my art. In fact, how could one know if this mad line in this drawing is the sketch of a flower or if her sharp turns and arabesques outline the itinerary of a wandering life between Austria, Italy, France and the USA? I have always worked in series with themes interconnected with each other, identity, relationships, literature… This new series of works had been inspired by poems I read when I was growing up, some of them at school, some of them I discovered by myself later in life. Baudelaire, Nerval, Du Bellay and Voltaire. These poets had accompanied me all of my life. Some of their lines left a strong imprint in my mind and soul, Du Bellay in “Comme Ulysse…” referred to the feeling of homesickness. Nerval evoked the search for perfect love in “Les allees du Luxembourg,” Verlaine expressed how love fades and how love can hurt. Another common theme running through all these oeuvres is how time is passing and youth is gone. Other poets are glorifying the beauty of women, lust and desire. Apollinaire reflected how the distraction of art (by the passing of a circus through town) could alleviate for a moment the pain and fears in life. But when the circus is gone, life’s problems come rushing back. For a few minutes like with a saltimbanque’s tricks, I hope to stop time and let your mind appreciate the colors and playfulness of my art.

Troy Wilson - Exhibits Director Josette Simon-Gestin

at the opening May 18