Meet the Artist: Hélène Le Chatelier

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Meet the Artist: Hélène Le Chatelier

by Lori Blackburn

 

 

Contemporary Art, Culture, and her “Unspoken Truths” exhibition at the Alliance Française Bangkok

 

French artist Hélène Le Chatelier (www.helenelechatelier.com) dishes about her November 21 – December 17 exhibition, “Unspoken Truths”, quirky cool Singapore life, and wonderful world of contemporary art. Hélène’s recent collaboration with the Alliance Française Bangkok (https://afthailande.org) and Ronewa Art Projects (Berlin/Bangkok) (https://ronewa.com) invites audiences to experience her work which she describes as “snapshots of our soul”. Hélène is best known for her ink body-scape and works on paper, but her repertoire also includes installation, sculpture, video, and photography. She has even written a novel and children’s book.

 

The Alliance Française Bangkok’s open galleries provide an airy backdrop to contemplate “Unspoken Truths’” themes of space, intimacy, and memory. Hélène’s artwork engages viewers to explore their inner-most landscapes; offering a unique way in which we view our own realities. So, what makes artist Hélène Le Chatelier tick? Hélène provides a playful look into everything from her artistic process to favourite foods to street art. We even receive a few tips about the Singapore art scene.

 

Can you explain your journey as an expat?

 

I grew up in central France, just south of Paris near Bourges. After living in Ireland for four years, my family moved to Singapore in 2010. Our fourth child was born in the Lion City. We rescued a bird and hamster who became part of our home. I love good food, wine, and books. When I am not working or sipping tea, I spend time with family and friends. If you add a pinch of travel and a great dose of art, then I am in paradise!

 

How would you describe your typical day in Singapore?

 

Ten years living in Singapore has nurtured my lifestyle and my concept of art. My days start early with Earl Grey tea and coffee. After dropping the kids at school, I head to my studio, where I work for most of the day with my hands full of paint or clay. I love my studio’s vibrant silence which allows me to dive into myself. It is my breathing space like a bubble separate from the world. Time passes quickly here. Outside of my studio, I go to appointments that usually include lunch meetings with dumplings, sushi, fried rice, or pomelo salad. I meet artist friends, curators, art dealers, and collectors around town or in my studio. I like to engage with various fields of research. For example, I am currently working on an art and science project with the Mechanobiology Institute Centre and National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) from the National University of Singapore. The researchers and I are exploring the concept of disappearance through the creation of artworks using lab techniques. In the evenings, I attend art openings. I am always curious about other artists’ work. On my way home, I especially enjoy the night noises: toads and insects lost in the dark remind us that nature is never far away. Even if Singapore is a huge megalopolis, it is also a garden city, where nature has its very own place.

 

What is your personal story as a painter and artist?

 

I have always wanted to be an artist. When I was five-years-old, a schoolmate asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I proudly answered: “Painter Artist!” I thought those two words sounded super cool. Encouraged by my parents, I started painting at a very young age. I produced paintings which my father still keeps in his home… and believe me, some of them are ugly! I studied Fine Arts & Applied Arts in Paris where I graduated in Fresco painting. I became an artist to express and address matters that are beyond words. When language fails to describe and define the human experience, images can succeed.

 

How did you become involved with the Alliance Française Bangkok?

 

I visited Bangkok many times as an artist-in-residence at Thaillywood Contemporary Art Residency in Chonburi, and I shared my studio with two Thai artists who became friends. This residency provided an opportunity to experience new techniques and large size artworks without constraint. This is generally the kind of freedom an art residency can offer. It is a precious time for artists. Some of the paintings that I created during my time at Thaillywood are presented during my exhibit, “Unspoken Truths”, at the Alliance Française. During my frequent trips to Bangkok, I attended exhibitions at the former Alliance Française, which I greatly enjoyed. The Alliance Française maintains a strong, long-term relationship with artists and the art world. They facilitate the exposure of art to a multicultural audience. This means that people who may not regularly experience contemporary art, can do so at the Alliance Française. When visitors come for French language classes or to attend a musical performance, they can also see various artists’ work. I am excited about the opportunity to show my artwork in the new Alliance Française Bangkok.

 

I am also thrilled about my first collaboration with Ronewa Art Projects (Berlin/Bangkok). I met fellow expat and director of Ronewa Art Projects, Roger Washington, a few years ago. I appreciated his positive energy, endless curiosity about the local art scene, and his strong ability to connect with people wherever he goes. I hope this will be just the beginning of a longer partnership to reach a larger audience.

 

What were your expectations regarding your “Unspoken Truths” exhibition?

 

This is my fourth time presenting artworks in Thailand. It makes me very happy. This selection was completed along with a new series created in Singapore that had never been exhibited in Bangkok. I am presenting a total of three different series. One engages in a form of what I call, an “Unreadable Writing”; deploying the idea of energy and the effort we put into inscribing our own lifeline among others’ voices. In the second series entitled, “Internal Landscapes”,   I use semi-abstract landscapes as a representation of our inner world. The third series called “Psyche”, presents inner landscapes painted on round canvases of various sizes. By using these round shapes, I play with different scales, referring as much to the idea of microcosm or cellular scale as the idea of the macrocosm or the scale of planets: when you look deeply into yourself, you may discover a universe within itself. It is an endless journey. I hope these pieces provide viewers the opportunity to connect with my art and to dive deeper into it. Collective and individual memory, life path, silent transformation, and inner landscapes are the main themes behind this exhibition, and I hope this subject matter speaks to everyone.

 

Which materials do use when creating your artwork?

 

My art practice is quite diverse. Although my favourite medium is Chinese ink, I do see myself more as a painter. However, I can easily move from painting to sculpture to photography and into videos or installations. This diversity allows me to explore subjects from different angles. Of course, you don’t say the same thing when expressing a message through sculpture or with videos. Each medium asks you to reconsider which part of your subject you want to highlight for the viewer.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/travel-and-leisure/art-and-culture/meet-the-artist-helene-le-chatelier/

 

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