Basque artist Xabier Soubelet from Luz-Saint-Sauveur is preparing to celebrate fifty years of painting in 2026, marking a remarkable half-century of artistic creation. The veteran artist has completed an astounding 2,771 works throughout his career, each piece reflecting his continuous evolution and stylistic research while maintaining a deep connection to his Basque roots.
Soubelet's artistic journey spans five decades of constant reinvention and stylistic exploration. In his studio, located just steps away from the local market halls, the artist continues his tireless pictorial research, revisiting his earliest works and championing an art form deeply nourished by his cultural heritage. His workspace remains open to anyone who wishes to visit, embodying his philosophy of accessibility and shared artistic experience.
The artist recently opened his studio doors to discuss what he describes as the twilight of a well-filled artistic career. His workspace, housed in an apartment where he spends almost every day, serves as a place where he works, receives visitors, and shares his passion. "You don't need to wait for someone to welcome you - just ring the bell and come in," Soubelet explains, encouraging visitors to "leave modesty and politeness aside" and simply dare to look.
Entering Soubelet's studio is like stepping directly into the artist's mind. The walls are completely covered with dozens, even hundreds of canvases, while others are carefully arranged on the floor, finding their place in this incredible profusion of art. This unique, almost immersive atmosphere perfectly reflects a painter entirely inhabited by his art and his roots, creating an environment where creativity and cultural identity merge seamlessly.
The studio itself tells the story of decades of artistic dedication. Paint pots, tubes, and splatters fill a room that serves as the raw material universe of his art. Xabier Soubelet moves among paint-stained overalls and palettes frozen in time, with nuances mixing on shelves as well as on the floor. At the center of this creative chaos, the artist faces his latest canvas, which bears a symbolic number on its back: 2,771 - the exact count of works created over nearly half a century of artistic production.
This remarkable milestone represents not just quantity but quality and consistency in artistic vision. Each numbered piece in Soubelet's collection represents a moment in his ongoing quest for artistic expression, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his craft and his cultural identity. As he approaches this significant anniversary, the artist continues to work with the same passion that has driven him for five decades, proving that true artistic dedication knows no bounds.
