Introductory remarks

I search to develop an actual image of man. The basis of my effort is to observe and comprehend man, relate to his conflicts, interior and exterior; man in his urban and social context, man with his rituals, his customs, his cultural backgrounds, artistic and social.

The reproductions on this Web-Gallery are only an introduction to my recent efforts. Even if photographs were produced with particular care, results are only an approximation, for one loses greatly in the reproduction of color, richness of tone and contrasts, the format, dimension and differences between planes, the reaction of light on forms, etc. Thus, reproductions in no way substitute for seeing the original.

I work in cycles, that is not to say I go from series to series of "variations". My painting goes beyond the traditional separation between figurative and abstract. I disavow an art that is spectacular, shocking, sensational, superficial, amusing, "fashion", an art that tries to be chic or takes an easy approach with ways of the avant-gardes, or an art which is intended for publicity to seek quick accomplishment. I try to make a "slow" painting. That is to say an art of many aspects, not arrived at with little aforethought, and yet without artificially being complicated. A viewer needs time, much time. One must give him time to look in depth. These paintings live from qualities of varying light at different times of the day. One must devote ample time with these images, spend time with them, live with them, in order to appreciate all their richness. This may appear difficult, in a time noted for over visual exposure and immediate and superficial accomplishment.

Autor: Tristan Rain, Paris, Autumn 2002

Translation: by Mary E. Kissam, Quentin L. Sternberg

Copyright: Tristan Rain, 2002