FV 073 : Florence Metgé, a French artist with a perspective on African art

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Florence Metgé is a French artist based in the South of France. Florence’s art is colourful and vibrant. She finds her inspiration in the complexity of human relationships and will share some examples in the episode. Living in Western Africa for many years has also influenced her style. Listen in to learn more about it, as well as the condition and challenges faces by contemporary African artists!

Episode Timeline

Part 1

An overview of Florence’s background

Westerners vs African people: hoe they react to art

Definition of Arts Plastiques

Part 2

Florence’s favourite theme

Favourite techniques

Image composition: an original angle

Part 3

Where in Africa did Florence travel/live

The influence of African art in Florence’s work

The condition of artists in Africa

Part 4

Calling for guests for French Voices!

From Florence’s art studio in France

Vocab List

aquarelle (nf) = watercolour

arts plastiques (nm) = fine arts

bifurquer = to change direction

croquis (nm) = sketch

étiqueter (quelqu'un) = to label (someone)

exposer = to exhibit

franchir le cap = [fig] to go past (sth), to get over (sth),

fusain (nm) = charcoal

gravure (nf) = engraving

huile (nf) = oil

labyrinthe (nm) = maze

mettre (quelqu'un) dans une case = to label, categorize (someone)

œuvre (nf) = work, artwork

percer = to make a breakthrough, to make it

rapports humains (nm) = human relationships

se consacrer à = to dedicate/to devote oneself to

se faire remarquer = to be noticed

silhouette (nf) = figure (shape)

tenir à cœur = to matter, to be important, to be a cause close to your heart

tenir compte de = to take into account

toile (nf) = canvas

Questions:

(part 1) Vrai ou faux? Le public français réagit avec plus de spontanéité devant les œuvres d’art tandis que le public africain a tendance à intellectualiser ce qu’il voit.

(part 2) What example illustrating the difficulty of communication between two individuals did Florence paint?

(part 2) Classez ces techniques dans l’ordre de préférence de Florence, de sa préférée a la moins aimée : L’aquarelle, l’huile, le fusain.

(part 3) Why is it challenging for African sculptors to adopt a more contemporary, creative style?

Answers:

Faux, c’est le contraire.1. Faux, c’est le contraire.

She painted a maze with two characters (seen from above). The characters are physically close, being only separated by a wall, but the actual distance for them to meet is far (they would have to walk through the maze)

L’huile, le fusain, l’aquarelle

Tradition and sacred art, the look of the statues as we know them tend to make it difficult to change style.

Links & Resources

Florence Metgé’s website: http://www.florence-metge.fr

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