Lionel Guibout is a French artist who began with oil painting and then moved onto charcoal, pastels and collage on canvas. His <em>Forest</em> series has been ongoing for several years, however his biggest project was <em>The Raft of the Medusa</em>, based on the wreck of the frigate Medusa in 1816 off the coast of Africa from which he created 11 large paintings, 40 lithographs and seven bronze sculptures. Currently his work is one of three artists being displayed in Art Couture, the gallery inside the Al Badia Golf Club at Intercontinental Festival City. <strong>Q: Have you exhibited in the UAE or the Middle East before?</strong> A: No, this is my first exhibition in the UAE. It is also my first visit here. <strong>Q: How was your experience here?</strong> A: I would definitely say unforgettable. I have already had wonderful experiences when exhibiting in Europe, China and Russia but exhibiting in Dubai was one of the best ever! In Dubai the audience is respectful, curious, straightforward, mindful and enthusiastic. <strong>Q: What do you think of the UAE's art scene?</strong> A: It is rather difficult to answer your question because I do not know much about your art scene. However I deeply feel that is already a very dynamic one with a definite international perspective. I really enjoyed my first UAE experience and as an artist I feel that I belong here. L'Arbre Rouge by Lionel Guibout. Courtesy: Art Couture <strong>Q: Your works vary from quite realistic to quite abstract - how would you describe your style?</strong> A: I make no difference between abstraction and figuration; neither does nature! I do not want to depict but rather "signify", and just like Nature, it is through humble, simple strokes, or through forceful tsunamis that I get to the "signifier". Concerning my style, I really do not take the time to think about it. It is not up to me to define it. Art lovers should do it. <strong>Q: What is your main inspiration when you paint?</strong> A: For quite a long time I was inspired by Greek myths, that resulted in being inspired by the nature of humans, the nature where myths and men were born, an animated nature, a nature in movement and a nature in perpetual mutation. <strong>Q: Can you tell us about Forest study and describe the process of painting it?</strong> A: First I select fragments of nature, I caress them, I imprint them, I store them, I listen to them, I become one with nature that invades my art studio and eventually "swallows me". Sometimes I fight with charcoals, Indian ink, acrylics, scrapers and brushes and this fight can last for years. I have been working on this series for four years now and I have expressed four seasons in a forest. <strong>Q: Finally, where else can we see your work other than in this Art Couture exhibition? </strong> A: At the Gallery Linz in Paris, at Gallery Fred Lanzerberg in Brussels, at the Fondation Morat (Freiburg Deutschland) Art Paris, Art Elysées and in my art studio in Paris. * Art With No Boundaries runs until March 2nd at Art Couture, Al Badia Golf Club, Intercontinental Festival City, Dubai Lionel Guibout at Art Couture
