In January, the Hay Hill Gallery presents “Quiet Days Under The Trees” the first exhibition of works by the French artist Patrice Valota in London. The exhibition incorporates artworks from the two striking series, “Arborescence” and “Expressions”.

Valota has chosen wax as his main medium. He paints with the flame of a blowtorch, mastering the fusion of melted matter and pigments to obtain a glowing surface. Wax sets off a very special light and gives unique depth of colour to his work. With both classical and contemporary influences, Valota plays on contrast, offers abstract and figurative works, mixes natural references with geometric lines.

The “Arborescence” series focuses on trees as the alpha and the omega of life. For Valota, trees are like cosmos, for they are constantly regenerating themselves and the space around them.

In “Expressions” Valota interprets and makes references to Delacroix, Poussin and Picasso. He explores humankind’s fear and fascination with death, hidden dark family stories and secrets one is reluctant to reveal and to admit.

Valota shares his time between his studios in Paris and in Normandy. He has exhibited both painting and sculpture in 10 solo shows and 20 group shows. His work is part of many reputable art collections including that of Alain-Dominique Perrin (Founder of the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art) and John Travolta.

Patrice Valota:

Patrice Valota was born in Compiègne (Northern France) in 1950. At the age of 15, after seeing reproductions of works by Georges Rouault and Bernard Buffet in a book, Valota got hold of some gouache, tore a bed sheet apart, grabbed a kitchen knife, his father’s pipe and painted his first picture. At the age of 38, after establishing himself as a successful actor he finally decided to become a painter and three years later had his first one-man show at the Lavignes Gallery in Paris.

Valota has appeared in the following international films: "The Tenth Man" with Anthony Hopkins and Kristin Scott Thomas, "House of Elliot" with Louise Lombard, "Bergerac" with John Needle, "John Adams" with Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti, "The Vintner's Luck" by New Zealand movie Director, Niki Caro with Vera Farmiga , Gaspard Ulliel and Jérémie Renier ... He has also played in over 50 French movies and TV films with directors such as Claude Lelouch, Claude Faraldo, Hervé Palud and Gerard Mordillat.