REFLECTIONS

“Agnes creates images of her own reality that refer to a realm beyond the line between awareness and dream. Using symbolism as a key of her expression, she tells a story saturated with mythology and paganism.

Fascinated by the Italian Renaissance and classical Greek statues she adored the way they pushed the body form to extreme unrealistic excess and postured the portraiture of humanity in total luxuriance. She loves the hidden treasures of the primitive and their false uncomplicated aspects. Searching for contrasts, Durbet-Giono subjects range from the urban and industrial environment to the traditional beauty of the nudes. Her visual language is characterized by flesh and metal, wood and concrete, as well as mineral structures.

Spirited Personality and Famous Roots

Agnès Durbet-Giono is a French-born, grand-daughter of Jean Giono, the famous French writer from the middle of the 20th century. Describing her artistic beginnings, the artist confesses her resistance to any formation and qualification since an early age. She was never able to conform to what was expected and teachers were mere shadows who had little influence on her life. She started to take pictures after her introduction to the industrial world where she felt at ease.

In a Quest for Balance between Feminine and Masculinity

Sensing the presence while creating in a world haunted by masculinity and virility and after taking pictures of sewages treatment plants, water filtrations system, and factories, she over-imposes their silhouettes. Using two contrasting images to question the overrated perception of what society see as beautiful and ugly, the artist aims to balance feminine and masculinity, writing the love letter in every picture. Not interested in reality or witnessing any beautiful scenery, historical event or political moment, Durbet-Giono’s works are not aggressive or accusing. She uses all mediums in her possession and capacity to translate a feeling, vision and even futile of the magic.

Work with a Strong Message

Asserting that each of her exhibitions in Sydney and France were equally important and personal milestones, Durbet-Giono feels the public’s feedback as the crucial aspect of her success.”

By Suzan Wang