The French artist Lionel Estève (b. 1967) is renowned for his surprising combinations of objects and his unusual technique. Situated at the intersection of drawing, sculpture, and installation, Estève’s works are characterized by a very distinctive aura of fragility and sensitivity. Playing with space, color, and sense perceptions, he uses his art as a vehicle to probe themes such as reincarnation, nature, and happiness.
The exhibition is a diverse mix of varied installations and smaller, detailed one-offs. The artist combines a variety of materials such as glass, light, paper, and cardboard. Some of his works are suspended from the ceiling or wall, while others are spread across the floor. It is characteristic for Estève to explore the surrounding space with acute sensitivity. Although his art is delicate in appearance, it has an intense presence and powerful emotional resonance.
Estève is highly creative in his multifarious use of recycled materials, which reflect his philosophy and belief that art can be made out of anything, thus proving that art and its surrounding reality exists in a state of symbiosis. His art conveys a sense of the fluidity of all boundaries and a very palpable connection with life. His works never scream for attention, nor do they represent anything familiar or recognizable in our everyday lives. They are made up of small fragments that were once part of something larger. In Estève’s hands, they acquire both a new form and a new meaning.
Estève’s work has featured in numerous museum and gallery exhibitions in Europe, including venues such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tourcoing. His work is represented in many prestigious private and museum collections. The artist is based in Brussels.