The Abstract Expressionism of Agapi Hatzi, Mathieu Fort, and Veronique Brosset

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here is something about art that allows us to access complex thoughts and feelings otherwise too difficult if faced head-on. In her poem, “Tell All The Truth, But Tell It Slant,” Emily Dickinson reminds us that this is indeed what all great art offers us, from poetry to music to paintings: a means to learn the truth about each other and ourselves in a way that sneaks these discoveries past our psyche’s gate-keeper.

 

 

As a audio-visual librarian, I particularly enjoyed connecting my patrons with films that while on the surface suggested simply an entertaining ride, actually delivered life-changing experiences. A young man might come seeking “a good action film” and I would point him in the direction of movies like “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.” In this way, difficult concepts like racism were snaked in and amongst glimpses into ancient Chinese mysticism, the making of a legend, a love-story. As viewers opened to the magic of Lee’s personal story, they allowed entry of universal truths they might not have been receptive to otherwise.

Might abstract art then work in the same way? By experiencing color, light, line and texture via a language that forces us out of the logical, are we better able to access complex emotions and concepts? Feelings and ideas that if presented more directly might be too threatening, too intense?

 

 

[quote]At a time in history when experiences are becoming increasingly sped up and truncated, does abstract art give us not only a means to more richly experience pleasure, to luxuriate in visual nuance which cannot be interpreted quickly, but also a language with which to more deeply and fully know ourselves?[/quote]

 

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

This unconventional and multi-dimensional form expresses me. Allows the possibility through color and liquid for me to escape and explore archetypal and symbolic fields. According to Jung, dreams are a way of communicating and acquainting yourself with the unconscious. My dreams are very vivid; sometimes I remember them very well and I am able to codify them with my own painting on canvas. Being an artist, I believe that it’s difficult to “manage” my thoughts [through conventional means]. Everything on my mind is color and symbolism which find their right place when they are spread on canvas. Despite abstract art being “insufficient,” a structure is required and also knowledge.

 

 

Veronique Brosset, France:

Painting is my mode of expression. I know of no other. A vital need to transmit and share, to also explore a universe that I know without purpose. I like the challenge painting affords me to question, learn, seek, tame…and finally confront the gaze of others through my painting. And the joy to see the emotion or reaction on the face of someone looking at one of my paintings.

 

 

Mathieu Fort, France:

I find my inspiration in all the elements around me, especially my unconscious that drives me to take my brushes to express deep feelings that I can’t express another way.

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

Throughout the day, as I wander the streets or nature, especially in nature where Greek sun is bright and unique, each color for me is significant! I collect all the images and colors to my mind, I analyze them and recreate them. Black and red are both vibrant colors for me. The color that represents both elation and strength for me is red. Many times one meaning is correlated to the another. We can’t have elation without internal strength and from that strength, elation is born.

 

 

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

[quote]I also love deep blue, the color that represents freedom. The ideal of freedom was born in Greece, that is surrounded by sea.[/quote] So as you can understand, a look at the deep blue can only lead you to the road of freedom.

 

 

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

Brown for me is a disquieting color; and because the sense of disquiet is like the beginning of the end, by end I mean death, I hardly use this color.

 

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The use of colors depends both on my inspiration and mood; but sometimes just by one color a new idea can be born.

 

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Veronique Brosset, France:

My colors that best express my emotions are those that fall short of the magma: black, deep or subtle grey; land burned; bright red; shining yellow. The color that gives me satisfaction and peace is black, which arises from subtlety.

 

 

Mathieu Fort:

Color is very important for me and I often use many in my paintings. All are useful and it is their combination that gives interest to a piece. Emotion. The complexity of the unconscious.

 

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

I haven’t always worked in the abstract; it’s only recently that I have preferred this way to express myself, perfect for a mind that never sleeps.

I can accept as an artist that my work will have an impact on the viewers, whether positive or negative, although so far it has all been positive.

 

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

I can see the surprise in their eyes; they get carried away in front of my paintings because of the tension and size of them. That gives me a lot of pleasure that they can perceive the dimensions of my work. That is the ultimate cause of art. To stand still in front of the object.

 

 

Veronique Brosset, France:

[quote]Some people may express embarrassment, as if what they see is too violent or too intimate for them. But I have [observed that] when adolescents view my work, they are affected, interested, even if they express few words, as if to do so was unnecessary.[/quote]

My inspiration comes mainly from my emotions, my memories and my childhood fears. But I also am fed by what I observe in my environment outside.

When I was a child, I liked to observe nature, those small details, to contemplate the light of the sunsets that transform the colors around us according to the hour of the day, touching the natural materials, animal, plant, stone, wood, iron. I felt extremely aware of this, more than the human environment, which seemed terrifying, complicated and offered little reassurance.

 

Mathieu Fort:

I find my inspiration in all the elements around me and especially my subconscious which drives me to use my brushes to express feelings I can’t express another way.

I am often surprised by the reaction of the audience because I am a painter of the subconscious. The interpretation is very open.There are as many interpretations as different people on earth. My paintings speak to them personally. At first it was hard to say goodbye to a piece; but I am now very happy each time I sell a painting. I love to discuss with the buyer to understand what motivates him to buy my piece and learn what he sees or feels. Sometimes I do not much appreciate one of my paintings whereas the public may be enthusiastic about it. My audience teaches me a lot about my painting. One of my own favorites is “Design” which I painted in 1999.

 

 

Mathieu Fort:

[quote]When I paint, I am in a kind of meditative state that allows me to ignore my rational brain in favor of pure emotion. Children are of course very spontaneous, which is perfect for abstract art because there is nothing to understand, just feel. Adults will sometimes try to rationally interpret a work that is not rational.[/quote]

I create because it is essential to my well-being. I search for the more unconscious emotion, detached from the pollution of current events and fashion. A pure state of my subconscious, merging with the will of creation which is expressed throughout the universe. I paint to achieve peace.

 

Agapi Hatzi, Greece:

Since ancient years till today, Greece has been through extremely difficult periods. During the Classical Years, the greatest values were born in Greece and were spread throughout humanity, ideas that remain unsurpassed even today in the world of philosophy, literature and the arts. [But unfortunately, the] conditions today are very difficult, unemployment remains at high levels and now after a financial prosperity of many years, people are having to deal with a very hard reality. Suicides are a daily phenomenon. Of course this situation is a global matter.

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Many countries’ prosperity is fictional and therefore fragile. So someone reasonably wonders if there is room for art in this sad situation. I am going to answer that today, art’s presence is more essential than ever; we need to be transferred to a world of ideas and values, and art is the vehicle.

Painting for me is like a treatment for my soul.

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Veronique Brosset, France:

Freedom of expression above all, is so important, [offering] a portrait of a society at each given time. Art is both reflection, testimony, and a spectrum of the future. Art also has the great virtue of welding individuals together. To quote André Malraux:

“Art, it is the shortest way from human to human.”

And yet, painting also gives me a bienfaisant feeling of isolation. A time space which stops. I feel anxiety at the start of work, and then a strong sensual desire to work the painting, see colors mix, to face, building slowly or violently, my thoughts. My mind tends to, escape, and then it calms. When the painting is complete, there is a feeling that what needed to be said has been said, and that the rest of the speech will be for another canvas.

 

 

 

Further notes:

“Veronique Brosset paints with energy verging on anger. The unpredictable application of acrylic surprisingly does not compromise the overall aesthetic containment. This is her genius,” writes English poet and artist, Christopher Barnes.

To view more of Brosset’s artistry, visit her website: http://www.veroniquebrosset.com/

 

“Mathieu Fort’s use of colour and form revitalizes old Modernism. The special perspective gives the illusion of three dimensions. Repetition of shapes draws attention to their difference not their similarity. Engaging work that one can lose oneself in and returning to them again and again really pays off.”

Find more about Fort and his work at: http://www.art-fortiori.fr/

 

“Agapi Hatzi’s paintings are organic. Passion and form make her work sometimes dark, sometimes uplifting. The excitement is akin to wonder at nature. But these moodscapes have an edginess that is always unpredictable, heady and dynamic. The sense of movement gives them heightened ethereal tension.”

Agapi’s paintings can be enjoyed at: http://www.agapihatzi.gr/home.html

 

Guest reviewer, Christopher Barnes, won a Northern Arts writers award in 1998. His collection of poems LOVEBITES is published by Chanticleer. Barnes has also enjoyed a solo art/poetry exhibition at The People’s Theatre, Newcastle.