Louise Barbu

Biography

(1931-2021)

The paintings of Louise Barbu are instantly recognizable. As part of the non-figurative movement within abstract art, her compositions forgo any external objects, representing something connected solely to the artist's mind. These "photographs of the unconscious" reveal elastic forms levitating in a neutral space.

Her work is best, or most effectively, described with the vocabulary of lyricism. The “organic” lines outline surfaces that meet and collide, creating a silent, timeless, magmatic universe. Curves dominate, with forms propelled by perpetual swelling, slowly bouncing off one another. They stretch, with their density shaped by light, which suggests volume through subtle gradations. Dilated, compressed, extended—despite these trials, the forms never break.

This gravity-free space is a product of the artist's creative imagination. Masses float weightlessly, in a context alien to humans. The artist, as a demiurge, reinvents the world. In this invented geography, where the ephemeral nature of form contrasts with its eternal metamorphosis, emotion is both the source and goal for the artist.

Louise Barbu's work reflects a spontaneity guided by an inner logic inspired by the lines and shapes of nature. Indeed, her original source is the garden of her childhood home. Her creations are more influenced by nature than by geometry.

As in nature, the curve reigns in Louise Barbu's work; the straight line has no place. Through these compositions, viewers experience a mobile painting, driven by surprise and the unexpected. The eye wanders, losing itself in the composition, inviting the viewer to drift within this enigmatic universe.

Exhibitions selected

PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS :

2023 - Rétrospective, Galerie Françoise Livinec, Paris
2017 - Sens Intérieur Gallery, Presqu'île de Saint-Tropez, Cîté Lacuste, Port   Cogolin
2013 - Creuse Valley Museum, Eguzon, Indre, France
2011 - Château de CARROUGES, Carrouges, France.
2006 - Musée du Touquet, Le Touquet, France.
2004 - Maison des Arts, Châtillon, Hauts de Seine, France.
2002 - Centre Noroît, Arras, France.
1999 - Centre Culturel, Chapelle des Calvairiennes, Mayenne, France.
1996 - Henri Bénézit Gallery, Paris, France.
1994 - Office Fléchois d'Action Culturelle, La Flèche, France.
1992 - Demay-Debève Gallery, Le Touquet, France
1990 - Henri Bénézit Gallery, Paris, France.
1989 - Kunst Raum Gallery, Cologne, Germany
1987 - Mussavi Arts Center, New York, USA.
             Henri Bénézit Gallery, Paris, France.
1986 - Maison Française, Columbia University, New York, USA.
1985 - Mussavi Arts Center, New York, USA.
1984 - Syn'art, Paris, France.
            Palais de l'Europe, Le Touquet, France.
            ACAP Art Gallery, Le Touquet, France.
1982 - Aux Anysetiers du Roy, Paris, France.
1981 - Service Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland.
1980 - Galerie Iris Clert, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS :

2022 - Hommage à Louise Barbu, Salon Comparaisons, Grand Palais Ephémère, Paris
2020 - Comparaisons, Selected (France - Japan), Grand Palais, Paris
2014 - Salon de Mai, Grand Palais, Paris
2006 - Selection of Comparisons, Chapelle des Jésuites, Chaumont, Haute-Marne
              Un monde surréaliste, works on paper, Galerie Les Yeux Fertiles, Paris
2005 - Le pli s'illustre, Abbaye aux Dames, Caen
2003 - De la Terre au Ciel, Grenier du Chapitre, Cahors
          Le choix et découverte de l'il Neuf, Marly-le-Roi
2002 - Mac 2000, Espace Auteuil, Paris
       Salon d'Art Contemporain, guest artist, Espace Culturel, Viry-Chatillon
             Salon d'Automne, guest artist, Espace Maurice Béjart, Verneuil-sur-Seine
             Salon d'Angers, Angers
             Galerie F. Thibault, Saint-Brieuc

2000 - L'oiseau change de ciel, Château de Montauriol, Montauban.
             The PHASES movement, Chapelle des Calvairiennes, Mayenne.
             The PHASES movement, Centre Noroit, Arras.
1999 - Mac 2000, Espace Eiffel-Branly, Paris
1997 - Monte-Carlo International Contemporary Art Fair
1996 - Véra Museum, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
1994 - PHASES, Plemet-Ploeue-Quintin
1993 - Demay-Debève Gallery, International Art Market, Le Touquet
       Véra Museum, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
             Art at School, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Paris
       La Traductière, Maison des Ecrivains, Paris
1991 - Henri Bénézit Gallery, International Art Market, Le Touquet
1989 - Henri Bénézit Gallery, Paris
1988 - Hommage à Iris Clert, Grand Palais, Paris
1987 - Korea-France, Korean Cultural Centre, Paris
            Hauts de Belleville, MCJ de Belleville, Paris
1986 - Tribute to Iris Clert, Acropolis, Nice
             Contemporary Art Exhibition, ADAC, Le Vésinet and Fondation Cartier, Jouy-en-Josas
1985 - Creations, plural feminine word, « Les Hauts de Belleville «, MJC
             Confrontations, «Les Hauts de Belleville», MJC
           Dialogue, UNESCO, Paris
           La Traductière, Maison des Ecrivains, Paris
1984 - Expression quotidienne, Vitry-sur-Seine, Galerie Municipale
             5th Salon de Création Artistique, Bourg- en-Bresse
1983 - ACAP Art Gallery, Le Touquet
1982 - Art and Fashion, Espace Pierre Cardin, Paris
            Figuration Critique, Paris
1980 - Iris Clert Gallery, Horizon Jeunesse, MIGAM, Grand-Paris, Paris
            Salon Eclaté, Paris
1978 - Salon de Montrouge
          Salon International d'Art, Musée de la Ville de Toulon
            International Exhibition of Monte-Carlo
1977 - Iris Clert Gallery, FIAC, Paris
1974 - Large Women, Small Formats, Iris Clert, Christophe, Paris

GROUP EXHIBITIONS ABROAD :

2002        A.P.S. XI Biennale- Konschthaus beim Engel, Luxembourg
1985        Travelling exhibition France-Japan by Nippon Television
1990-1992    Network, Tokyo Municipal Museum, Sapporo, Horoshima, Japan
1991        French Embassy, Washington, USA
1978        French Institute, Munich, Germany
1976        Carone Gallery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
1967        Casino de Knokke, Knokke, Belgium