Art with message by master of 'Nouvelle Figuration'

Unlike artists who believe that art has a meaning in itself, French artist Gerard Fromanger believes that art should be a language that conveys a social message. Thus, critics often say the works of Fromanger are "a world of micro-politics."

After World War II ended in 1945, two artistic movements led the confusing era: the Abstract Expressionism of America and the "Nouvelle Figuration" of France.

While Abstract Expressionism gave in to the "great power of capitalism" by portraying the powerlessness of human beings, the Nouvelle Figuration chose to stand up against the era by using art as a social tool. Generated from the May 1968 Cultural Revolution, the Nouvelle Figuration is considered one of the most innovative art movements in 20th century European art.

It was during this time that Fromanger, the master of Nouvelle Figuration, met the world with his unique quest for the "interchange of art and language."

"America may have managed to seize Europe economically and politically, but it never succeeded in taking over the field of art," said Fromanger in a news conference in Seoul last week. "The core of Nouvelle Figuration is the artist`s bottomless labor in finding a leeway to change the society with art."

True to his words, each of Fromanger`s passionate paintings conveys clear messages to the world. By binding together political issues and social messages with various elements of painting, the artist manages to make his paintings something more than "just" art.

Born in 1939, Fromanger initiated the crucial movement starting from his gray portrait and the geometric landscape series in the 1960s. His 1962 "Gray Nude" series including the well-known piece "Self-portrait," was completed under the influence of sculptor Alberto Giacometti, his favorite artist.

At the time of the 1968 revolution, Fromanger completed his woodcut series including "A Tea Salon." In the picture, Fromanger presented a series of works illustrating photographic images of passers-by in red silhouettes to reflect his feeling of disconnection toward the authoritarian society.

As an intellectual leading the social and philosophical upheavals, Fromanger has always been persistent on the political direction of his work. The artist vows to keep to a sole objective: paint for the freedom of individuals.

Fromanger`s continuous interest and efforts toward the political and social issues are largely due to his close relationships with various coeval philosophers and critics. In 1976, the artist drew portraits of renowned philosophers including Jacques Prevert, Jean-Paul Sartre and Michel Foucault, who had written the prefaces for many of his exhibitions.

In the 1970s, Fromanger began to actively utilize modern tools such as cartoons, photographs, TV commercials and movies in his works to effectively convey his social messages.

The tight layouts, precise and simplified drawings, the use of primary colors and restricted chromatic range play a role as a whole in efficiently delivering the artist`s message about the various aspects of contemporary life.

Since 1971, Fromanger has been holding exhibitions in various countries including Italy, the United States and Canada.

Fromanger`s first encounter with Korea was in 1982, when two of his works were presented in Seoul Gallery`s "French Nouvelle Figuration Exhibition."

"I think creativity, originality and the spirit to resist the authoritarianism are the common features of Korean and French art," said Fromanger. "I see that Korea`s freedom in art and literature has been expanded to a great extent compared to 23 years ago. This is why I am very much looking forward to Korea`s reaction to my works this time."

From the 1990s to the present, Fromanger has been focusing on a series of large-scale works including "Body to Body...Orange," which conveys the artist`s strong opposition to the Iraq War.

Illuminating the artist`s life-long devotion to capture and alter the numerous aspects of the current era, his exhibition is expected to add another meaning for Korean audiences who also went through similar social upheavals of modernization.

The exhibition, which opened Saturday, will run through Jan. 5 at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon. Gallery shuttle buses are offered every 20 minutes beginning from 9 a.m. at Exit 4, Seoul Grand Park Station on Subway Line No. 4. For more information, visit www.moca.go.kr

(hayney@heraldm.com)

By Shin Hae-in