Pacification - First Edition
Cédric Blin – QUASAR CRÉATIONS
about him
First Prize
How did you start your artistic journey?Was there a particular event or person that inspired you to pursue art?
My artistic journey began through woodworking, a profession I practice full-time. My interest in resin started when I began incorporating it into my wooden table creations. I quickly discovered the many possibilities this material offers and decided to explore other forms of artistic expression. I initially experimented with creating paintings, but it didn’t captivate me as much as I had hoped. That’s when I ventured into sculpture. Although it involves costs, especially for molding, I find it to be a worthwhile investment.
What is most important to you when creating a work of art, and how does that reflect in the piece you submitted to the competition and won an award for? What did you think of the theme? How did it inspire you?
Transparency is essential to me in creating the illusion of glass, with suspended elements and floating objects. The theme of peace particularly inspired me, as I am passionate about chess. In this game, there are stark oppositions between black and white, king and queen, symbolizing adversity. This duality immediately resonated with me and seemed to perfectly align with the theme of peace.
What are your future plans as an artist?
Today, as a full-time artisan, I would like to devote more time to my artistic passion. Being primarily active in woodworking, my busy schedule leaves me with little time for art. Nonetheless, I exhibit in galleries near me and hope to showcase my work in Paris in the future. Currently, my artistic production is not substantial enough to consider solo exhibitions.
Barbara Schober
about her
Second Prize
How did your journey as an artist begin?
Were there any significant events or individuals that inspired you to pursue art?
My journey as an artist began during my time at art school, where I delved into Open Air Landscape Painting. I approached it differently from my peers, opting for a more experimental and free approach. This experience encouraged me to apply to the State Academy of Fine Art in Stuttgart, Germany. It was quite challenging to gain acceptance, with only 20% of applicants being admitted, but I succeeded. Throughout my studies, I had the privilege of serving as the assistant to Professor Sortiros Michou. His background in architecture and guidance were instrumental, particularly when he assigned me the theme of “Virtual Museum” for my final exam. Additionally, collaborating with Dietrich Mahlow, the former director of the “Kunsthalle” in Baden Baden, Germany, on a TV documentary about ART and Chaos Research significantly influenced my work.
What aspects of art are most important to you when creating a new piece?
How do these values manifest in the work you submitted for the competition?
My art is a response to the world around me, where I channel these thoughts into creating my own artistic realm. Beginning with conceptualization, I translate my ideas into tangible works through photographic drafts or sketches, further developed through painting. This approach is evident in the piece I submitted, as it combines photographic elements with analog and digital painted layers.
What are your thoughts on the theme of the competition?
How did it inspire your artistic process?
The theme of the competition resonated deeply with me, as it mirrors a recurring motif in my work. Its constant presence inspired me greatly. As artists, it’s vital that we feel connected to the real world, using our creativity to address significant issues and explore potential solutions through our art.
Could you share your future plans and aspirations as an artist?
Looking ahead, I am excited to participate in an ARTIST Residency ARCTIC Circle in Svalbard (2024) and another residency in Kathmandu (2015). During these experiences, I intend to focus more on the aspect of ENVIRONMENTAL ART, delving deeper into the intersection of art and environmental consciousness.
Patrick Patrascu
about him
Third Prize
How did your journey as an artist begin? Were there any significant events or individuals that inspired you to pursue art?
I began painting at a very young age, essentially falling into it. At the age of 16, I had the opportunity to exhibit at the Salon de Paris, after a representative visited my home in Moselle to see my work. My father, also a painter, originally from Romania, immigrated to France. I grew up in an artistic environment all my life. However, for financial reasons, I had to set aside my passion to raise my children. I worked in a factory to support them.
What aspects of art are most important to you when creating a new piece? How do these values manifest in the work you submitted for the competition? What did you think of the theme? How did it inspire you?
What inspires me to create artworks is everyday life, encounters, world events, including conflicts, everything that constitutes my existence. I’m fortunate to have a great imagination; all it takes is a subject in mind for me to go down to my studio and start working without prior preparation. For example, with ‘El Mondo Fantastico’, there was no prior reflection before its creation. I simply had the theme in mind and I went for it. Although I start with a specific theme, sometimes the artwork itself guides me in a different direction. My working method relies on this interaction between the canvas and me: like in a conversation, the artwork develops based on many factors, it’s the artwork that guides me in the creative process.
What are your future plans as an artist?
El Mondo Fantastico won the bronze medal at the Grand Palais in 2023. My next exhibition will take place in Maille from April 13th to 15th, and then from May 4th to 6th in Jard sur Mer. This summer, I’ll be exhibiting from July 17th to August 15th at ‘Art in the Garden’ in Angles. A major solo exhibition is planned in Gorde at the Penitents Hall from August 31st to September 13th. Also, exhibitions are scheduled in St Jean Cap Ferrat and Fontenay sous Bois from mid-September to mid-October.