This tall, gentle-natured man created his first exhibit in 1976, at Galeria La Chamade in Rennes, France. Eight years later his reputation followed him to Montreal, where he exhibited at the Galerie Au Coin des Artistes. In the mid 90's his work was introduced to Vallarta and ever since he has been one of the main artists of the Vallarta Art scene.

His experiences with different cities, other people and their customs are reflected is his paintings - airplanes, fish, trips, people. Faces take on a special importance in Genest's works, whether they are devils, kings or cardinals; that are where the expressions of the human soul manifest and define themselves. In Mexico he is particularly inspired by the freedom he finds in Mexican crafts and the colorful life here.

Yvan is a very interesting, unpretentious, and easy going gentleman. When talking with him it becomes clear that painting is not simply something he does; it is his way of being in the world -a way of communicating what he experiences in an effort to reach out and touch us in a profound way.

His works are mesmerizing journeys into the underworld of the human soul. With his light, luminous and eye-catching colors, his distorted and imaginative forms and figures, Genest brings to life a fascinating world which parallels our own. We recognize faces, eyes, legs, fish, birds and stars. But the faces have been ripped of their masks, the eyes have seen beyond what can be seen, the legs have walked so much they are of no use anymore, and the fish and the birds have evolved into species unknown to the Earth.

He will tell you that he was greatly influenced by expressionism of different periods, such as Francis Bacon, Picasso, Satin and Chagall. "For me, the important thing is simplicity, not the complicated. I walk down the street, by a door or a dog; something will motivate me and I paint it." Yvan has an incredible sense for color. His paintings are bright and cheerful, all combined with sense of freedom and fun. Even if you do not understand them, you want to see more of his paintings and are compelled to purchase one. In Paris, one writer described Yvan's work as " ... spicy, very hot taste that lingers in your head, your heart and your soul, even past the first exciting bite."

Alvaro Zardoni born in Mexico City’s “Colonia Roma” neighborhood, studied painting and drawing at Irene Lindroth’s studio from 1975 to 1981 and from 1983 until 1988. He started to work in sculpture in an independent way, experimenting with various materials until he settled on bronze. His sculpture, mostly figurative, is usually accompanied by different found objects that reinforce the original idea of each piece. His reference to both Classical and Mediterranean sculpture also take into consideration mythological themes, literary characters or those derived from legends.

He graduated from the School of Architecture at the Universidad Anahuac (Mexico City, in 1987).  "From earliest childhood I knew I was going to be an artist. I felt like an artist. Some people are here on earth and never know what they want. I call them unfinished business. I had a blueprint all my life from childhood and I knew exactly what I demanded of this world. Now, some people may not demand of life as much as I did. But I wanted one thing that I thought belonged to me, I wanted the whole show.

For me that is living... Who is an artist? I say, we take a title. No one gives it to us. We make our lives." His works form part of private collections in: México, Canada, many USA, South American and European cities. This year he has done a series in honor of the -Year of the Cat. 

Recently Alvaro was asked if he was influenced by the artist, Louise Nevelson. “When I was quite young I read something Louise Nevelson wrote and that has stayed with me ever since. I love her work and admire the courage she had to give up everything and become an artist... though obviously I'm more into figurative sculptors: I have passed through various favorite ones and studied their work, the first one was Rodin, then Aristide Maillol, Camille Claudel, Josep Clará, Subirachs and Arno Breker...and the more recent ones were Robert Graham (whose death last year shocked me...) and Javier Marin.  I'm not sure if I can see their direct influence on my work... they all have marked me in some way, perhaps very subtly, but I try not to copy anyone... I have tried to find my own way of expression...“

Jean-Gabriel Lambert born in Montreal, Canada, first came into the public eye through acting and dance. Voice technique developed, his imagination took free rein. He directed a video in which he played two characters who confront one another. Later, he added writing and singing to his artistic accomplishments and soon after, in a natural progression, he began drawing and painting.

The future of humanity and our relationship with the other provide his creative motivation. Love, friendship and communication are both bearers of meaning and the impetus to act. Again and again, his canvases interweave intimate stories and universal issues. We imagine ourselves floating above an immense landscape, and at the same time, we see a wound on a body.

The paint is laid on densely, darkly, with blues the color of night bordering with beaches, like waves of serenity. The human form is never very far away. An entire series was painted in honor of his mother, Madeleine. Another series from the views of Conchas Chinas. The human form is never very far away. Often, figures insinuate themselves into the paintings, taking shape through the abstract gestural flux.

Figurative images rise to the surface: here we see a mouth and there, a body… leaving the work open and in movement. A canvas never has a single meaning when seen through the eyes of others, it lives and it grows. His artistic expression continues to emerge and assert itself as he moves forward in life.

The dialogue with the public provoked by his paintings nurtures him and gives him the desire to open it ever further through his art. The artistic journey that he embarked upon twenty-five years ago has led him around the word in a quest for inspiration. In 1999, he fell in love with the Mexican people during his initial visit to Vallarta, and for the first time added the color yellow into his work. He continues to be inspired by the light and colors of its spectacular natural environment and its’ people. He now paints here on his annual pilgrimages to Vallarta. He celebrates his 10th year at Galleria Dante.  

Friday, February 24th, cocktails 6pm to 10 pm

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