Francesco Clemente Francesco Clemente
Overview
The works are named after the town of Saline on the island of Saint Barthelemy, where they were created in the last three months.
The exhibition is dedicated to Francesco Clemente with his "Saline Aquarelle". The works are named after the town of Saline on the island of Saint Barthelemy, where they were created in the last three months. Watercolours play an important role in Clemente's artistic oeuvre. However, he needs the tropical climate he finds in India or on the tropical islands for this.
All the watercolours in the exhibition have a square format measuring 114.3 x 116.2 cm. It is particularly worth mentioning that the paintings are mainly based on Clemente's observations of his surroundings. The self-portrayal of the past years seems to have retreated a little into the background. A positive brightening of the colours is also noticeable. It is difficult to explain Clemente's work. With great sensitivity he captures objects that spring from his imagination. As soon as one believes to have discovered a story in the picture, it escapes us in the same moment. The artist does not adhere to academic rules for the construction of pictures, we do not find a background, for example.
The exhibition shows female figures in various poses, their bodies moving towards the sky. In another work entitled "Biography" a fish swims in a round aquarium standing in a boat. "Flame" shows us a person in profile who is just lighting a cigarette, in the flame a female body kneels. The only self-portrait shows the artist with his foot chained to a round ball. In the painting "Continuation" hands are sticking out of the sky, holding different things. In "Riddle" cats try to reach the plaited braids of the three back acts with their paws.
Clemente was born in Naples in 1952, where he also spent his childhood and youth. In 1970 he began studying architecture at the University of Rome. A few years later he travelled to India. Since 1982 Clemente has lived with his family in New York, Madras and Rome.
The 80s in Clemente's work are characterised by self-portrayals. Clemente includes himself in the works. His striking facial features, the shaved head and the large eyes are always recognizable. Clemente also created community paintings with Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
A book will be published to accompany the exhibition.
