Liliane Bordes
Painter, plastic artist
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A critique of Francine BUNEL-MALRAS, Art Historian
A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués, Liliane Bordes established her studio in Saint-Pierre-d’Autils in 2010. Strengthened by a first experience as a window dresser and decorator, which gave her the opportunity to paint scenery, she went on to become a fresco and mural painter to decorate cityscapes and water towers. However in 2016 she chose to devote herself exclusively to her passion for canvas painting, without sacrificing her love of large formats; she readily lends her talents to the creation of theatre posters. Since 1999, she has organised several solo exhibitions and participated in numerous shows and exhibitions in France and, more recently, abroad (2019 Peking - early 2020 Cologne). These have allowed her to showcase her original style and have earned her recognition in the form of awards, which include First Prize in the 43rd show of Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf in 2019.
A lover of Chinese and Japanese art forms since her teens, Liliane Bordes draws inspiration from their stark style to transcend her subjects, and even to render them timeless by drastically reducing the representation of space that they occupy. The artist explains her creative principles in these terms: “That which is invisible and timeless finds great resonance with me. The quiet presence that I once felt contemplating a Vermeer, Turner or modern painting by Hopper or Rothko for example, and which I now see in the contemporary work of Alexandre Hollan, Serge Saunière, Christelle Labourgade and others, forms the basis of my research.” Her ‘still-life’ paintings with their minimalist shapes are skilfully sketched in harmonious and balanced compositions. Their backgrounds tend towards abstraction and include plays on light, shadows, chiaroscuro, and at times small complementary figurative elements. By linking a subject to a setting that is void of the least superfluous detail, Liliane Bordes invites us into a revisited and tangible world, evoking a feeling of calmness that invites contemplation, even meditation.
“Establishing a bridge between that which is visible and invisible” is the artist’s aim. Her acrylic technique is perfectly honed, and the complementary use of either soft or hard pastels adds to the paintings’ overall softness. The varied palette of colours highlights a dominant hue in each artwork, which contributes to the serenity emanating from the creation and adds to its simplicity, subtle charm, appeal and poeticism.
In a subtle and studied minimalist style, Liliane Bordes’ pictorial world illustrates a pursuit for absolute purity in our surroundings, free from all artifice. It is original artwork that invites us on a quest for spirituality.
VIDEOS - PHOTOS
P R E S S
Participation in the 43rd spring fair
may 2019 - Saint Aubin Lès Elbeuf
Reviews from Elisabeth Le Borgne about 2 works exposed at this fair
By Liliane Bordes, a very sober large format, faithful to what she has shown us before. An ochre-yellow background, a still life (pitcher and onion), a table barely sketched. These are the only figurative elements. The rest of the canvas, i. e. the most important part, is treated in an abstract way. More originality and finesse perhaps in n° 39. The work is clearer, more luminous too. The backgrounds are pinkish beige and the material is also elaborated in a rather abstract way. Presence of rare figurative elements however - a beautiful fine bowl, a blade of grass on which a delicate colored dragonfly has come to rest.
Golden Award
Saint Pierre d'Autils : Liliane Bordes,
une oeuvre à méditer
Publié le 12/08/2018
Participation in the 36th fair of works on paper
january-february 2019 - Caudebec Lès Elbeuf
Reviews from Elisabeth Le Borgne about 2 works exposed at this fair
" Liliane Bordes gives us two very pure works, treated in an abstract way although they retain a figurative side.
Blue, grey and green dominating for "Intimacy" where two large jars with a slightly granular appearance are sketched out, one ochre, one in white, bathed in a kind of chiaroscuro.
Intense, orange light, for "Grail", an orange Grail too, a small round bowl placed on the ground. She plays with light and shade here again. A good layout and very nice work."