“I too carol the sun, usher’d, or at noon, or, as now, setting,
I too throb to the brain and beauty of the earth, and of all the growths of the earth,
I too have felt the resistless call of myself.” — Walt Whitman
A celebration of life, unique expression, and selfhood, the work of Louis Fratino comes back to AOC, this time displayed across the space of Ciaccia Levi Gallery, Paris. The figurative compositions of the artist, present portrait-like representations of subjects as well as still lives and landscapes. Each piece in Growths of the earth displays an intimate moment of sensory experiences, be it through the eyes of the subjects, or through the eyes of the viewer. On view through July 10th, the depth of Fratino’s work will continue to fully embody the essence of pride of expression. Below we have chosen a selection of complete images of works, but with an emphasis in the details, the texture, and the artist’s stroke.
Large Flowers, 2021, oil on canvas, Courtesy of the Artist and Ciaccia Levi, Paris. Photography: Aurélien Mole
Like the versatility of subject matter in the paintings across this exhibition, is the depth in conceptual reach in Fratino’s work. The initial text in the introduction above, redacted on the exhibition press release, is an excerpt from Leaves on Grass, a staple of poetic expression by Walt Whitman. Like the text, delicate, intricate and complex, are each of the works in the exhibition. The collection of new works depicts a tongue-in-cheeck display of his signature approach to the canvas. In both color palette and composition, each stroke speaks volumes of Fratino’s artistic development.
An Argument, 2021, oil on canvas, 177,3 × 165,2 × 4,4 cm, Courtesy of the Artist and Ciaccia Levi, Paris. Photographs: Aurélien Mole
In the selection of images provided, the beautifully photographed details of canvas photographed by Aurélien Mole, we are able to experience the exhibition of new paintings up close. Every inch in each composition is replete with details and hidden figures that one can only fully appreciate if one looks closely at the surface canvas. Common household objects appear repeatedly throughout the scenes, like these subjects all existed within the same universe. Loose sheets of pencil sketches, a bowl of nails sitting behind a flower vase with the flowers in their prime, an empty water glass, and sweet embraces dominate the scenes, and fill the viewer with a sense of domestic bliss.
Detail: Anemones and Mimosas, 2021, oil and collage on canvas, 73,7 × 58,5 × 4 cm, Courtesy of the Artist and Ciaccia Levi, Paris. Photographs: Aurélien Mole
Experiencing each piece as an identity, the gallery space attracts the viewer to step backwards and experience the large paintings, and to inch closer to closely look at the smaller works. Continue scrolling down to see more images. Make sure to experience the wonderfully executed, curated, and photographed exhibition Growths of the eatrh by Louis Fratino.
Detail: Barn Swallow, 2021, oil on canvas, 22 × 30,5 × 2 cm, Courtesy of the Artist and Ciaccia Levi, Paris. Photographs: Aurélien Mole
Courtesy of the Artist and Ciaccia Levi, Paris. Photographs: Aurélien Mole
Courtesy of the Artist and Ciaccia Levi, Paris. Photographs: Aurélien Mole
