Reviews on Inside Out Upside Down Gallery Site
Didier Paquignon, Tu rencontreras d'abord les sirenes, l'Orangerie, Paris , France
This exhibition took me completely by surprise. It is so long since I've seen a contemporary exhibition that displayed any real representational skill, that it is almost hard to trust my senses in reviewing this exhibition. Paquignon is unknown to me but clearly has some status in France to be displayed in the Orangerie and the works justify this status.
The paintings and drawings are finely worked without approaching mechanistic perfection. They clearly contain long and sustained development expressed in what appears to be a straightforward way. On closer observation the construction of the grounds, jigsaw like assembly of some works and beautiful handling of light and colour,... show clearly that they are not the result of a single sessions work but are developed over time.
The works are for the most part objects of great beauty, even when the topic is mundane or unappealing. In this regard Paquignon's work follows in the foot steps of artists such as Rochegrosse but without being in anyway stylistically connected.
The lighting of the exhibition is exceptionally complementary to the works. At first viewing it is difficult to see how the brightness of the lighted areas and darkness of the shadowed areas has been achieved within the constraints of paint pigments. On my second visit and after observing the images in the catalogue, it became apparent that the directional lighting was specifically targeted for each painting to enhance the already excellent light and dark area tonal differences. Perhaps the lighting is an essential part of the image, at any rate it would detract from the paintings if seen without it.
The exhibition space is likewise complementary to the works enabling viewers to appreciate most at a variety of focal distances.
This exhibition is highly recommended as one not to miss if you are in Paris.
author: Neil Miley