FRENCH ASSAULT ON DUBAI TAKES ON A VIBRANT HUE

Starting today the Shopping Boulevard of the Emirates towers will come alive with over twenty contemporary artists from all over the world, particularly from France, displaying their paintings for the benefit of art lovers and admirers of contemporary art. The paintings will be open for viewing from May 2-7.

Organised by Jean-Pierre Giraudo of the Art Promotion International, this exhibition is aimed at giving artists in and around France exposure, while at the same time opening the eyes of art lovers to different styles of paintings and emotions from France and the surrounding regions. All through history, the French had always excelled in art, with masters contributing some of the finest pieces of art, which are displayed in museums around the world. Another variation of French creativity can be seen even now on the many imposing buildings all around France. It is this rich tradition that is seeped into history, that Jean-Pierre tries to promote by bringing together painters with styles that vary widely, from contemporary to surreal and fantasy to still life.

As is the case every time he organises an exhibition, Jean-Pierre has invited an accomplished artist as a guest of honour. This time round, it is Fabrizio Riccardi, an artist par excellence whose works are permanently exhibited in galleries such as the CFM Gallery in New York, Galerie Brueghe l in Amsterdam, Galerie Alternance Hardelot in France, Vaas Foudation of Vence and Centro d'Arte del Ponte in Italy. Recently the Centre Internationale de l'Art Fantastique de Gruyère, in Switzerland acquired a number of his works for a permanent exhibition at the Arte Fantastica Museum, spreading his name even further.

This Italian artist has worked in place like the USA, France, Switzerland and Belgium where he encountered a good deal of appreciation from critics. His paintings — which are always oil on wood — have a strong Italian influence, which is not surprising, as he lived in the historic centre of Florence where the world of gnomes, masks, jesters and grotesque animals had enriched his creativity.

Painting since he was just fourteen, Riccardo relies more on dreams. His style is more "antiques, old style, visionary and fantastique," as he explains.

For example one of his works is 'Collector of clouds'. Every cloud has a silver lining, he explains, "and each one holds something special for this collector".

I never do still life and landscapes, people and their actions interest me. The only 'classical' paintings I do are portraits. "Most of my paintings are a product of my imagination working overtime. They generally come to me while I am asleep ... in a dream, so when I get up, I promptly paint these imaginations.

The artist works with oil on wood and explains "Five centuries ago all the masters painted on wood while canvas is just around hundred or two hundred years old, so I like to stay true to tradition. But the main reason I use wood is that there are subtle transitions of colour that can be done only on wood, the textures you get on wood are finer. Painting on canvas is not difficult for a person who is already painting, it is a conscious decision to keep in line with traditions. The final result is better on wood and the painting itself does not break easily and lasts longer. It is also a 'safe' background as far as art goes because it doesn't change with time. Canvas generally changes colour.

Another of Fabrizio Riccardi's quirks is another technique he uses to 'date' a painting where he lightly sprinkles his finished painting with little drops of paint, "I don't like white and clean paintings so I make a lot of spots on them, which gives an old feeling to the setting of the paintings"

Asked if he found anything interesting that has caught his eye that can be turned into a painting, he says "I find the absence of colour in clothing amongst the UAE citizens very interesting. It is either black or white, which is quite intriguing for any artist ... this is just an observation which may find place in future paintings"

The exhibition itself has more painters, some of who are Michael Jouenne who has exhibited his works all over the world, some of which have found their way into museums; Raymond Poulet whose works abound in a certain richness which can seldom be found in one artist; Jean-Baptiste Valadie whose paintings capture a woman's beauty in all her femininity; Christian Jequel who is a bright painter and a master in the technique of brush and knife; Pascal Etchenic who concentrates on Mediterranean landscapes; Roger Keiflin, who again brings out the beauty in landscapes and flowers in all their glory; and Bruno Monvoisin whose surreal and still-life paintings stir the soul.