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JANE BARTHÈS

Picture
Molecular Ascension - 2018


​DESTIG TOP ARTISTS INTERVIEWS 

Jane Barthès​ is a Franco British artist 
​who lives and works in Chicago.
In her own words: “I feel a bit like a physicist researching her molecules. In essence everything is but matter and energy
."

​
Tell us about yourself and your background.
I consider myself to have lived many lives around the globe, living in the UK, France and the USA as well as having trekked across the African continent, China and other developing countries. I was born in Nigeria, in 1959, to a fiery Catalan French father and a reserved English mother. ​
​My inherited duality and unlikely birthplace have probably impacted my work from the start. I knew I wanted to be an artist from a very early age although my parents insisted that I do something ‘sensible’. I did for a while but spent all my spare time drawing comic strips. ​I finally followed my dream to the University of London, Wimbledon School of Painting. After graduating in 1994, I left the UK to work in the relative isolation of the vineyards in the South of France.
​It was there, away from city pressures that I became an abstract artist while also teaching life drawing and designing sets for theatre. However, in 2004, my insatiable curiosity and desire for change led me New Mexico in the US where the sheer space, extremes and drama of the desert inspired my work for 5 years before the recession set in. ​In 2009 I moved back to big city life in Chicago where I continue to live and work.
Picture
Jane and Molecular Ascension

​"My inherited duality and unlikely birthplace have probably impacted my work from the start. I knew I wanted to be an artist from a very early age".
​
Picture
Barthès in the studio
Picture
Molecular Patterns #12 - 2016

"The geometric patterns in the work have become metaphors for both the architectural spaces we create and inhabit as well as for science particles. I refer to these as my ‘molecules’; they are the building blocks of life itself. They are the purveyors of the powerful yet intangible energy that propels us through existence as I remain obstinate in the belief that if I just dig deep enough, the emptiness, or negative space of the canvas might reveal the secrets of the life force itself."

Picture
Radicals Breaking Free - 2016
Picture
Urban Space Revisited #4 - 2019
Picture
Floating Urban Molecules - 2018
Picture
Molecular Cities #2 - 2017

Tell us about your work.
There is a freedom inherent in a large, two-dimensional surface that is not bound by gravity that I never tire of exploring.
I use acrylic, charcoal and graphite on canvas. 
Grounded in an intuitive, meditative approach developed over many years the work has grown in complexity as it reflects an intensely personal journey. My world has always felt big and wild and full of unknowns and I have turned it upside down many times. Those conscious acts of self-implosion may have at one time seemed random but have come to reflect my personal evolution and artistic point of view. The inherited duality of an English mother and a Catalan French father is fundamental. I have always grappled with concepts of duality; the ebb and flow between matter and energy, the clash between chaos and order in a world often fraught with ugliness and uncertainty. 
My use of color is both bold and yet restrained and often complementary. My hope is that I can create a sense of clarity, even harmony in the chaos of the universe to give shape and purpose to what the eye does not see.
Additionally, there is a sustained dialogue with each geographical port of call. Sensitive to my surrounds, I am intrigued to see how the work has come to reflect the exquisite urban origami and Bauhaus lineage of the city I call home. The sunny, scintillating patterns of the waters of the Chicago river reflected in the geometric, glass high-rise buildings resonate so deeply, I get goose-pimples as I sense the esoteric connection between all things.
The geometric patterns in the work have become metaphors for both the architectural spaces we create and inhabit as well as for science particles. I refer to these as my ‘molecules’; they are the building blocks of life itself. They are the purveyors of the powerful yet intangible energy that propels us through existence as I remain obstinate in the belief that if I just dig deep enough, the emptiness, or negative space of the canvas might reveal the secrets of the life force itself.
Picture
Radical Design - 2017
Picture
Urban Space Revisited #1 - 2019

What is unique about your work?
The work is so personal as it reflects my unique journey through life.
My peripatetic existence has prohibited any obligation to satisfy local academic institutions, who, perhaps by their very nature, risk compromising the freedom of artistic thought. I consider it my job as an artist to be independent in my observation and dialogue in search of a fresh perspective.

Why your work is a good investment?
Perhaps this is a question for the collectors and buyers that are beginning to discover the work. Essentially, the quality of the work is grounded in years of practice and research. This is a particularly exciting summer for me with several shows running concurrently in Chicago, New Jersey and beyond.
I am also working with agencies in Chicago and San Francisco and London.

Tell us about some of your achievements.
  • I had 2 concurrent shows in Chicago this summer, showcasing some of the very large works in a perfect setting, a large building downtown; The Olympia Building, (The Nieman Marcus Building), otherwise referred to as 737, Michigan Avenue.
  • I had a huge exhibition at Fermilab, the particles laboratory in the US for 3 months earlier this year in which I gave a talk.
  • The Long Beach Island Foundation for the Arts and Sciences also invited me to show this summer for their show “Landworks”.
  • I have representation with Prak-sis Ltd, a large consultancy in downtown Chicago as well as representation in San Francisco with The Project Room and Armadillo Central, in London.
  • There is more underway as the opportunities seem to be pouring in this year!
  • On arrival in the US I was immediately picked up to feature in the book: 100 Artists of the South West, Schiffer publications, 2005.
  • I’m in private collections in the UK, France, Germany, Bundes Bank, NYC, LA, Chicago, New Mexico and more.

What are you passionate about?
Life! Art, obviously, architecture, literature, travel, people and my cat.
​My interests in art are always a work in progress and evolve with my journey through life. American art has provided a new world of discovery and inspiration. Over the years I have gravitated towards Abstract Expressionism, particularly the suspended ​energy of Robert Motherwell’s shapes.
I also love the stringent rigors of American Hard-Edged Abstraction with Californian artists such as Frederick Hammersley, Lorser Feitelson and Helen Lundeberg. I’m interested in many contemporary contributors to the discipline and seek to bring my own, perhaps more expressive journey to the discussion.

Share with us your upcoming projects.
Plenty in the pipeline but nothing I can substantiate yet other than what I’m doing at present.

Tell us about where you are based.
I’m based in the city of Chicago and my large studio is conveniently only a ten minute car ride from home.

Picture
Barthès working
Picture
Molecules of Urban Design Revisited #4
Picture
Magical Forms and Spaces #3 - 2018
Picture
Urban Space Revisited - 2019
Picture
Urban Space Revisited #2 - 2019

"My world has always felt big and wild and full of unknowns and I have turned it upside down many times. Those conscious acts of self-implosion may have at one time seemed random but have come to reflect my personal evolution and artistic point of view."

Picture
Molecules of Urban Design Revisited #3 - 2019
Picture
Radical Urban Planning - 2018
Picture
Radical Urban Perspectives # 1 - 2018

"The work is so personal as it reflects my unique journey through life."

Picture
Molecular Model C6H807 - 2019

"My work is an attempt to find balance. ​I seek to reveal a sense of poetry and even harmony that I find in all the messy dissonance around us. ​I search for the sacred in the mundane."

Picture
Molecular Puzzle - 2017

How do you feel about art and its role in the world?
​In a world of increasing information overload, it seems to me imperative to offer a distilled space that invites the viewer to reflect upon the source of all our energies and the intangible mysteries of this life. Acutely aware of the opposite forces I have been given to walk through this world with, my work is an attempt to find balance. I seek to reveal a sense of poetry and even harmony that I find in all the messy dissonance around us. I search for the sacred in the mundane. Without space in our lives for quiet reflection, how can we find and experience joy and attribute meaning to our lives?


www.jbarthes.com
Picture
Molecular Patterns #7 - 2016
Picture
Barthès in the studio
Picture
Urban Ribbon - 2019
Picture
Magical Forms and Spaces #2 - 2018

© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
  • Current Issue
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  • Design
    • Features >
      • Nikola Lenivets - ​The largest art park in Europe
      • Remembering Marvin Lipofsky
      • Michela Cattai
      • Insidherland Presents The Niemeyer II
      • Angell Bike by Ora Ito
      • Leclercq Associés
      • Ashima
      • Ferrillo
      • Blue Italia
      • Atelier de Troupe
      • Aysan
      • CHYBIK+KRISTOF
      • david/nicolas
      • ESTUDIO PERSONA
      • MAARTEN BAAS
      • NADA DEBS
      • RAPHAEL NAVOT
      • REVOLOGY
      • SOFLOW
      • QWSTION
      • RAAAF
      • ANNA TORFS
      • VIKTORIA YAKUSHA
      • THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE
      • BOTANIC TALE COLLECTION BY MOSAICO+
      • HANDVÄRK
      • BERTOCCI
      • MAISON LE LOUP
      • MATTER MADE
      • MISTER ALPHABET
      • OUR VODKA
    • Lighting >
      • VG NEWTREND
      • Norman Copenhagen
      • Giopatto & Coombes
      • Lindsey Adelman Studio
      • SCHONBEK SWAROWSKI
      • Karice
      • Lladro
      • ILMIO DESIGN
      • Pablo Designs
      • Zonca Lighting
      • Oluce
      • B.lux
      • Mols
      • Masca
      • LEDS-C4
      • LASVIT
      • Luceplan
      • BLOND BELYSNING AB
      • David Hunt Lighting
      • Nimbus
      • Klobe
      • LOUIS POULSEN
      • Savoy House
      • GrantLamp
      • Cordon
      • Lug Light Factory
      • Venini
      • Younique Plus
      • CORBETT LIGHTING
      • MorganRuben
      • VibiaLighting
      • ZeroLighting
      • ArturoAlvarez
      • FormaLighting
      • Flos
      • Artemide
      • Lights of Vienna
      • Parachilna
      • Atelier Robotiq
      • IUMI
      • ​Gabriel Scott
      • HENGE 07
      • Rbw Studio
      • LJ Lamps
      • DCW Editions
      • CINI & NILS
      • LineaLighting
      • CVL Luminaires
      • QUASAR
      • Badari Lighting
    • Seating >
      • DRIADE
      • Rolf Benz
      • MAGIS DESIGN
      • MOROSO
      • Republic of Fritz Hansen
      • Amura & Sainluc
      • PIERRE FREY
      • Cappellini
      • Miniforms
      • Vitra
      • De Sede
      • Flou
      • Cherner
      • Bo Concept
      • Philipp Selva
      • Knoll
      • Lange Production
      • Cor
      • Freifrau
      • andTradition
      • Munna
      • Softhouse
      • Conde House
      • Memoir
      • ​Blå Station
      • BOSC
      • CRAVT
      • Jess Design
      • Frigerio
      • Burov
      • Calligaris
      • Vincent Sheppard
      • Gautier
      • Ligne Roset
      • Ulivi Salotti
      • Swoon Editions
      • Jimmie Martin
      • Espasso
      • Roche Bobois
      • Pash
      • Odesi
      • Linteloo
      • Zoffany
      • Gebrueder Thonet Vienna
      • CDI Furniture
      • Timothy Oulton
      • Natuzzi
      • District Eight
      • Pure Home Collections
      • Tacchini
    • Hot Picks - 2020 Part 2
    • Hot Picks - 2020 Part 1
    • Hot Picks - 2019 Part 2
  • Travel
  • DESTIG Awards
  • Contact