Julie Chevassus, a recent graduate from Marseille's School of Fine Arts, is preparing to unveil her artistic creations to the public at the Modern and Contemporary Art Foundation (FAMC) in Montluçon. The young artist, who completed her degree in 2024, left everything behind in Marseille to relocate to Montluçon after being selected for a prestigious six-month residency at the Shakers gallery, known as a true breeding ground for emerging talents.
Chevassus admits she's eager to share her work with the public, though she feels a bittersweet emotion about leaving the Shakers residence that has welcomed her so warmly. "I had heard about the residency from another artist," she explains humbly. "It interested me because all the conditions were perfect for someone starting their career like me: a large studio available 24/7, an apartment, and a monthly stipend to buy materials - it helps a lot! But they only accepted one person, and I didn't really believe it would happen. I never expected it would be me."
The exhibition at the Modern and Contemporary Art Foundation features Chevassus's oil paintings on wood, with supports she crafts entirely by herself. "I like to do everything from A to Z," she explains. "My support needs to be smooth, so I sand it and apply casein that I also prepare myself. Then I apply oil paint." This meticulous approach reflects her dedication to controlling every aspect of her artistic process.
Chevassus works across various scales, from small intimate pieces to large-format works, including an impressive triptych featuring nuanced shades of green. She requires a clear vision before beginning any creation and enjoys giving substance to her works, describing them as "objects that emerge from the wall." Her process begins with real objects, primarily metal sculpture scraps - a material she has grown particularly fond of since discovering and familiarizing herself with it while working in a studio for another artist.
The artist's technique involves transforming these supports into abstract forms, beginning her creative process by zooming in to create interplays of light and texture. She then paints canvases where highly realistic characters contrast sharply with abstract backgrounds, with the figures' positioning providing scale to the overall work. This unique approach creates a striking visual dialogue between representational and abstract elements.
Chevassus brings a philosophical dimension to her art, describing her vision with passionate insight: "My characters or animals are like castaways - alone, lost in a hostile universe where they must survive. My futuristic vision is one of life that must adapt in a dystopian, chaotic world where nothing is natural anymore." This conceptual framework gives her work deeper meaning beyond its technical excellence.
This solo exhibition at the FAMC represents a significant stepping stone for the young artist's career. She also has the advantage of having a catalog featuring her works and a professional text about her art written by an expert - both serving as quality guarantees and professional assets for her future endeavors.
The exhibition opens with a vernissage on Friday, October 17, at 6:30 PM, and runs through Sunday, November 9, at the Modern and Contemporary Art Foundation, located in the Boris Vian space at 27 rue des Faucheroux in Montluçon. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 2 PM to 6 PM.
