BIOGRAPHY

I grew up in Brittany, France where I studied art at the Beaux-arts in Rennes. I moved to Oklahoma City in 1987. I started to print at the Paseo Intaglio Printers and to show my art in group and individual shows. My art work was shown in Florida, Missouri, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and in Japan. I later moved to Philadelphia where I got involved with the Women’s Caucus for Art and Art at the Armory. After three years, my family and I returned to Europe. In Italy, Austria, and France, my work was exhibited in several galleries. In Brittany for four years, I reconnected with my roots and was invited to show in the Euroceltic Festival in Lorient. During this stay in Europe, my work was still shown in the United States and was acquired by private and public collections such as Hyatt Hotel Hawaii, Mayo Clinic Minneapolis and, in Oklahoma, at the Health Science Center, Coach House restaurant, and Irish Realty among many other collections. My work is part of the Oklahoma State University collection at Stillwater, OK. I was part of the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts 11 times and was the poster artist in 1992. I have had several one-person exhibits in Oklahoma at the Norick Art Center Oklahoma City University, City Art Center, Pickard Gallery, Untitled ArtSpace, Nault Fine Art. I am currently represented in OK by 1515 Lincoln Gallery. In Rockville MD, I was part of a residency program to work on the link between creativity, childhood and art. I have shown my work in Copenhagen at the French Cultural institute, at Global Art Gallery and Gallerie Lorien with the Artival festival, among other places. My work has also been displayed at the UMK, the Danish minister of foreign affairs. Back in Brittany since 2017, I have shown my work at hôpital Bretagne sud and in the gallery Improbable jardin à Lorient and in Vannes. In 2021, I have two exhibits in Oklahoma at Untitled Artspace and at 1515 Lincoln Gallery.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

How are your background and life experiences connected to your art?

I have been living in different countries, often not speaking the language but I was able to connect in a not superficial way to a lot of people with my art. People reach out to me after looking at my paintings. I made new friends, artists and non-artists, collectors who became friends, friends who became collectors. I am still in touch with most the persons I met and I have built meaningful relationships.

Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

I have always been drawn to Matisse paintings with their colorful representations of women, his stylized forms tending toward abstraction and Chagall oniric world. I am inspired by Bonnard atmosphere, Manet sense of composition and Frida Khalo constant reinterpretation of the story of her life. A book, a stroll, a movie, music, travel can inspire me. I have influences that grow on me without my acknowledgment and it is this blend of all these influences conscious and unconscious that allow me to create my own style. I feel that I am growing constantly. Every day can bring a ray of light or an encounter which will found its way in my art. I feel that my series are the story of my life. The trains series, the museums musings series, the blue series among other reflected moments of my wandering life of my life from Brittany, back and forth, from the USA via Italia and China. I want to reflect the poetry and the complexity of the world in my images.

How have you developed your artist career?

I am always networking. When I started, I was making slides and sending them to galleries, festivals, residencies programs. My first exhibit was in a restaurant and after I did art festivals but I never refused an exhibit if it was going to give me some exposure in good conditions. I build a porte-folio with articles about me and my work. Later with internet, I sent photos of my paintings by mail soliciting exhibits. I joined artists organizations which help me for networking and for support. I knocked on doors of galleries that seem to fit art style. I have now one-person shows in upscale galleries and art centers. Facebook and Instagram allow me to post updates on my new works and to stay connected. I love the feedback from my friends and collectors.

What does your artistic work intend to communicate to its audience?

I try to show the beauty and the complexity of the world. I feel we all need a place away from the noise and the tumult of the world. I create an imaginary world with women and strange creatures and vivid colors and a more subdued one with drawings in ink. My made-up world is a world of poetry and dream where everything is possible. I am happy is someone stop for one minute and immerse himself in my universe. I express my relationship to the world in different series like “Family “or “Feeling blue” or “Museum musings”. I question melancholy, loneliness, exile through my art and I believe everyone could relate to these feelings.

Does your work comment on any current social or political issues?

I believe that just making art is a political statement. Everyday getting up in the morning and painting is a challenge. What concern the artist and concern me is to bring something meaningful to the world. No advance society exists without art, music or literature. After our material needs are fulfilled, man needs to cultivate his mind and soul, this is what I call civilisation.

Do you have a particular story that stands out from your career as an artist?

As a young woman who recently arrived in Oklahoma with my family, I was accepted at the Art festival. It was the first time I left France and my English was limited. My booth was empty most of the times. I spent at least one hour talking to a young man student at the university of Oklahoma. I do not remember what we talked about but 10 years later this young man had a job and was ready to start collecting art. He found me through my website and had been buying my art since. It was 30 years ago.

What is one thing you would like your audience to know about you?

Every place in the world I have been living, from Europe to the USA,I have been making art and I have had exhibitions.

Which current art world trends are you following?

I am always curious about what is going on in the art world. I could relate to Ai Weiwei political statement or being taken by the poetic expression of Eva Jospin. I am not particularly attracted to any trend. I just enjoy seeing the diversity and the creativity happening in the world.

Why have you chosen to sell your work in the 1515 Lincoln Gallery?

I met Susan before she opened 1515 Lincoln Gallery. She came to see my exhibit “Feeling blue “with one of our common friends. She was curious about my art, she was very engaging and asked lot of questions. I could feel how much she liked art. I am so lucky now to be showing my work in a very professional gallery not only, but in a gallery run by a passionate woman.

Why have you chosen to sell your work in the 1515 Lincoln Gallery?

1515 Lincoln Gallery is a special place because of its director Susan who is completely engaged in all the aspects of the gallery. Susan wants 1515 Lincoln Gallery to be a place not only for promoting art and artists but she wants artists to be connected. We had monthly zoom talks during the pandemic that are still going on so the artists in the gallery are more than names but they have a face too. It is great to deal with a gallerist who sees behind the commercial aspect.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My art is the story of my life. All my series stemmed from some aspect of my life that I feel the need to question. I paint women looking at boats, swimming, and experimenting freedom of movement in the sea. The scenery is filled with birds and vegetation from Brittany where I have been confined.

jOSETTE SIMON-GESTIN’S AVAILABLE ART

YOU MAY LIKE THESE ARTISTS