VILLENEUVE-LEZ-AVIGNON Immerse yourself in the flourishing imagination of Cyril Destrade at Saint-André Abbey
Until October 30, the Abbey of Saint-André welcomes within its walls the works of the artist Cyril Destrade. The opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the flourishing imagination of this man with an overflowing palette. He exhibits his latest creations alternating ink, acrylic and watercolour, but the public will also be able to discover some of the collaborations he has made with the Maison Hermès or with the faience factory of Gien.
Born in Boulogne-Billancourt, Cyril Destrade studied at the Olivier de Serres then Boulle Schools. He began his career as artistic director in the big houses of London, Madrid and Paris. In 2011, he devoted himself to watercolors and was greatly inspired by gardens. Oscillating between imaginary and real. In the spring, he went to the gardens of the Villeneuvoise abbey and the result of this residence can be discovered throughout the exhibition. The public will also be able to meet him on September 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to noon while he will draw live from the gardens, accompanied by the cellist, Bernard Delire.
Nature is the main source of inspiration for Cyril Destrade, who has set up his workshop right next to the Bois de Vincennes. In his works, he tries to ” capture and replay fleeting things“. Even the gusts of wind or the heat of the day. He juggles between the intensities of colors and transparency to stage his luxuriant and luminous plant world, tending almost towards abstraction. ” I try to extract the everyday to propose my own world“, he says.
Multiple mediums and techniques
In the first corridor, visitors will be able to admire his small delicate watercolors, then large acrylic formats that are more abstract, more lively, more vibrant, reminiscent of Dufy’s touch. In the middle, we guess some human silhouettes or decorative elements. Sometimes you have to look a little longer to decelerate them.
If the artist remains convinced that all the colors can go together if you know how to arrange them in harmony, he allows a little white to exert on his canvases: “ It is a silence, a breath and allows visual circulation. » Just before the large room is displayed « Hidden door » representing the garden workshop of the Abbey. Like what, a building with a very prosaic use can become an opening towards an imaginary.
Also, be sure to admire the flower book designed by Isabella Serey, with drawings by Cyril Destrade. It contains nine imaginary gardens that unfold like the petals of a flower corolla open. Without forgetting table service objects or packaging, accompanied by preparatory sketches. For the Maison Hermès, the artist regularly designs the illustrations for the invitation cards for the opening of new boutiques. As you will have understood, changing medium and alternating techniques is a challenge that Cyril Destrade gladly takes up.
Mary Meunier
“Edens”, from August 31 to October 30 at the Abbaye Saint-André. Price for visiting the gardens and the exhibition: 9€. All information about www.abbayesaintandre.fr.