At the dawn of the 1980s, in France and around Europe, I studied a wide variety of schools of thought. Following that I lived in many countries in Africa, in the Caribbean and in Polynesia. In each of these continents I was exposed to different art techniques indigenous to those specific areas. Some of them were steeped in tradition like painting with natural wax, whereas others were inspired by locally available materials like coconut fibre, volcanic sand and various corals crushed into a fine powder.

All of these artistic movements have inspired me and are an integral part of my painting. They have given me a unique appreciation of the symbolism of shapes and colours. In the creation of my works, sometimes I unite them, other times I bring them closer together; I even use them in complete contrast with each other.

Over the years I have organised many private and public exhibitions of my work in the Caribbean. The watercolour, acrylic and oil painting classes I taught for adults there gave me the opportunity of happily sharing, under the light of the tropics, my passion for art with students of varying cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

Once I returned to mainland France I decided to dedicate my time mainly to painting with oils. As a member of the Association of Occitan Painters in Toulouse, I regularly take part in their spring and autumn exhibitions. I have also shown my work in Bordeaux at the Rolland Gallery and at Espace 57.

What can be said about my painting?
Simply that by distancing myself from the original image, I explore the vibrations and energies of the colours, feel their strengths and weaknesses, and note the light as well as the shadows in what I perceive. I pit opposing elements against each other by bringing these colour and form contrasts into contact. I dismantle the original groupings so that I can transform them into an abstract vision where all these features create a new harmony and balance. From this intermingling of forms and colours, an imaginary world emerges. On close inspection you will find shapes you hadn’t noticed at first glance as well as paths that will invite you on a journey that is full of poetry and mystery…

My paintings invite those who look at them on a journey, a trip to imaginary realms within.

Chantal Réoyo