René Galassi

• Biography
• Video
• Interview

René Galassi began painting late in life. He has, however, always felt the need to express his emotions, tied as they are to the singularity of his relationship with the world.

He will never attend art school, though he has always felt drawn to art, unconsciously inaccessible.

Even so, during his years in high school, he took to drawing patterns in India Ink and ballpoint pen on white backgrounds. These patterns, today, seem to break the mold of common expression.

Instinctively hostile to any preconceived schools of thought, he will never subscribe to any art movement. He remains aware of the obvious antagonism between his uninspiring education as an accountant and his vital need to escape the prevailing malaise of simply earning a livelihood.

Inheriting from his family -- cabinetmakers from generation to generation -- a sense of satisfaction in well-done manual work and the beauty that issues therefrom, it became more and more apparent to him that only an artistic occupation could suit him.

It was Henri Baviera who introduced Galassi to intaglio printing and had him work the printing press at his side.In 1999, Galassi took a course in engraving. During this time, he assimilated the influences of artists he had frequently looked to, and whose work he printed. He began, as well, to create his own works under the gracious watch of Baviera.

In 2001, he opened his own workshop. Since then, he has created and pulled his own engravings. Though his subjects are abstract, each of them finds representation in his work. His engravings inspire imaginary worlds and ancient world maps. He gives them names pulled from the agronomical lexicon. He has continued forth and turned towards the creation of canvases where he combines soil, clay, gold leaf, and ochres. Engraving and work on canvas have become complementary techniques for him.

He has continued forth and turned towards the creation of canvases where he combines soil, clay, gold leaf, and ochres. Engraving and work on canvas have become complementary techniques for him.

René Galassi lives and works in Nice