Richard Texier

Richard Texier (born 28 June 1955) is a French painter and sculptor. He lives and works in Paris.

Biography

Texier spent his childhood in the Poitevin region of Western France. In 1973, Texier went to college in Paris. He graduated with a degree in art and architecture from the École spéciale d'architecture and later received a doctorate in plastic art from the Sorbonne.

In 1979, Texier moved to New York City, where he initiated a nomadic strategy of creation which he called "Nomadic Workshops". This strategy subsequently enabled him to multiply his workshop space to venues all over the world: 1992: House of Culture, Moscow, Russia 1993: Manufacture des œillets, Ivry-sur-Seine, France 1998: Villa Noailles, Hyères, France 2002: Starrett-Lehigh Building, Chelsea, New York City 2003: Tour de Cordouan (Cordouan Lighthouse), France 2004: Liu Foundry, Shanghai, China 2012: Rangoon, Burma

In 1982, Texier exhibited for the first time at the Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporain in Paris with the Claudine Bréguet gallery.

In 1989, the French government commissioned Texier to create a series of tapestries on the theme of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. The tapestries were exhibited at the Opéra Bastille, La Grande Arche de la Défense, the National Assembly of France, the International Tapestry Museum in Aubusson, France,

Texier's most recent works include Chaosmos 2009, Pantheo Vortex 2011, and Elastogénèse 2013.

Chaosmos

In 2009, Texier began a series of special paintings entitled Chaosmos. This ongoing work includes more than a hundred paintings. The word Chaosmos was first used in 1939 by James Joyce in Finnegans Wake, whereby he states that the universe cannot function without embracing the concept of chaos. Moreover, the cosmos and chaos are indissolubly united in a vast continuum of order and disorder. At the beginning of the 1970s, Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari revisited the Joycian cosmos, notably in their "Mille Plateaux", affirming that "chaos is not the opposite of rhythm, it is more the center of all centers". It is literally this center of all centers that Texier, as an artistic astrophysicist attempts to define, and restore. Chaosmos is none other than a celebration of energy as a concentration of the history of the world. Zéno Bianu « une autre entrée dans le cœur du monde », , Art press No. 413, "Supplément Richard Texier", July–August 2014,

Pantheo-Vortex

« Pantheo Vortex is a collection of paintings begun in 2011. The series is based on the principle of The Cathedral of Rouen by Monet, or by the limitless modern artistic propositions of a conceptual nature. The paintings in this series are both photos and paintings. The image is obtained by using a digital graphic palette and aims to confuse by placing the real in the false and vice versa. The intention is not to trouble or perplex but rather to inspire and encourage the viewer to look beyond simple appearances. The choice of "vortex" in the naming of the work is explicit. According to the dictionary definition a vortex is a human pictorial interpretation which enables the viewer, via IT, to formulate a description of the infinite, and that of mystery.» (…) »

Citation de Paul Ardenne « faire de l’essentiel une œuvre d’art à la mesure », , in Art press No. 413, "Supplément Richard Texier", July–August 2014,

« Ce projet [Pantheo-Vortex] est une stratégie de création pour aborder le mystère et la dimension magique de l’existence. (…) L’art est le seul espace non dogmatique, non religieux où il semble possible d’aborder un sujet qui se dérobe, par définition, aux tentatives d’exploration. (…) »

Citation de Richard Texier, , in Art press No. 413, "Supplément Richard Texier", July–August 2014,

Elastogénèse

«(…) This new series explores the elasticity of the imaginary, the emptiness of the early times of consciousness and cosmos, where all is real as the world invents itself. I baptised it Elastogénèse as it is firstly an artistic rendering of dreams, Yves Tanguy never called it that even if he used it frequently. It is also a tool, a means of embracing reality. It is very different from the virtual world which attempts to dematerialise reality, Elastogénèse on the contrary chooses matter. It is, however something soft, elastic, in motion and restless. This form of movement exists already in nature, and these natural elements prove in a dazzling manner that the soft is stronger than the hard, and that the proof of their elastic, changeable and adaptable nature is finally more elegant than the rigidity of the real.(…) The art world was the first to discover and explore this nature. The sculptures of Arp, the soft watches of Dali, the expansions of Cèsar, and the silicons of Matthew Barney are all intuitive versions I offer a principal of mental resolution, a means of magical thinking.(…)»

Citation de Richard Texier, dans Nager, , a story, published by Éditions Gallimard in Collection Blanche, Paris. Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres July 2014 Peintre officiel de la Marine titulaire en 2015

Works Selected personal exhibitions 1982: FIAC, Gallery Claudine Bréguet, Paris, France 1985: Gallery Kouros, Madison Avenue, New York City, United States 1985: Exhibition at the museum of fine art of La Rochelle & Sainte-Croix museum, Poitiers, France 1986: "Richard Texier: el continente de la peonza", Museo Casa Natal de Jovellanos, Gijón, Spain 1986: La Roche-sur-Yon museum, France 1987: Sawaya & Moroni, Milan, Italy 1988: Galerie Lea Gredt, Luxembourg 1988: Gallery of Applied Arts, New York City, United States 1989: Galeria Ciento, Barcelona, Spain 1991: "Territoires nomades" at the Musée des beaux-arts d'Angers, France 1992: Galerie Mobile & Galerie Hadrien- Thomas, Paris, France 1992: "Moscou 92" VDNKh in Moscow, Russia 1992: "Histoire du Ciel", Galleria La Bussola, Turin, Italy 1992: Contemporary Art Center of Moscow, Russia 1994: Château de Chambord, France 1994: Institut français de Taipei, Taiwan 1994: Galleria Grafica Tokyo, Japan 1995: the Bouvet-Ladubay Contemporary Art Center, Saumur, France 1995: Gallery Garando Nagoya, Japan 1996: Manufacture des œillets, Ivry-sur-Seine, France 1996: Galerie Virus, Antwerp, Belgium 1997: Galerie Reflex, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1997: Suzanne Tarasiève, Barbizon, France 1998: Feria Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, Madrid, Spain 1998: Musée national de la Marine, Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France 1999: Carrousel du Louvre, Art Paris Art Fair, Paris, France 2000: "Sculptures", Galerie Artcurial, Paris, France 2002: "Suite des droits de l'homme", 7 Aubusson tapistries, Musée du Président-Jacques-Chirac, France 2004: "Les îles de la destinée", Galerie Tessa Herold, ARCO, Madrid, Spain 2004: Creation of 8 stained glass windows, Abbaye d'art de Trizay, Trizay, France 2005: Fine art museum of Shanghai (Shanghai Meishu Guan), China 2006: "5 large bronze sculptures", Grand Palais, Paris 2007: "Paintings on Chinese Nautical Charts - New York by Richard Texier", Alice King Gallery, Hong Kong 2008: "Créatures mythiques", M Art Center of Shanghai, China 2011: "Theoria Sacra", Galerie Pierre Levy, Paris 2013: 11 monumental sculptures Orchard Road, Singapore 2014: "Pantheo-Vortex", Gallery Guy Pieters, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France 2019: "Light", Galerie Downtown, Paris, France

Publications 1979 : Constructions d’après nature, a work in three parts edited with the participation of the National Center for Contemporary Art of France. 1981 : Lune, l’autre le paysage, a publication in three periods. 1: Research and technical approach to landscape 2 : Precise verified astronomy and representation of the lunar cycle 3: Presentation of various attitudes, installations, and representations in landscape 1983 : Petit Précis cosmographique, a collection composed of 12 celestial diagrams 2015 : Pantheo Vortex, a portfolio of photographs by Richard Texier, with a text by Catherine Millet, Art Press editions and Eric Higgins 2015 : Nager, story, published by Gallimard, collection Blanche, Paris. 2013 : The Death of Cleopatra, Youtube and aired on France2 2013 : Gabrielle d'Estrée, Youtube 2015 : Le signe Nomade, documentary on Farid Belkahia available on DVD

Selected public works

The Tools of the Navigator

In 1996, a monumental chariot on the site of l'Arsenal de Rochefort-sur-Mer, à deux pas de la Corderie royale, including a sextant, a coil of rope, and a turn pin.

The Spirit of Time

In 2005, a monumental sculpture on the pediment of the K.WAH center in Shanghai, 1010 Huaihai Zhong Lu, China

Angel Bear

In 2015, a special commission by the SNCF for the COP21, Angel Bear is permanently installed on the place Napoleon III in front of the railway station of Paris Nord. It was while reading a report in Paris Match on the plight of polar bears that Richard Texier was inspired to create the work.

Representing a winged bear of 7 meters in height and weighing 4.8 tons, the statue invites passers by to reflect upon the dangers facing our planet. It is a mythological and hybrid creature delivering a political and ecological message on the fragility of our planet and the importance of COP21.

Unicorna Celeste

In 2016, Richard Texier receives two commissions for bronze sculptures, of which one,Unicorna Céleste will decorate the garden of the new building "Esprit Sagan" in Paris. IUnicorna Celeste is an evocation of Françoise Sagans’ Le Cheval Evanoui.

Selected bibliography Hors-Série Magazines Art press N° 413, "Supplément Richard Texier", July–August 2014, Beaux Arts Magazine Hors Série, "Richard Texier Œuvres récentes", July 2008, Connaissance des arts Hors Série N° 222, "Richard Texier, l'arpenteur des rêves", 2004,

Selected Monographs and books on Richard Texier Zéno Bianu, Eric Fottorino, Sylvie Germain, Jean-Marie Laclavetine & Denis Montebello, "Richard Texier - Territoire d'hybridation", Éditions Palantines, 2014, Henri Belbéoch, "Les ateliers nomades - Richard Texier", text by Michel Butor & Daniel Pennac, Éditions Palantines, 2012, Zéno Bianu & Pascal Bonafoux, "Richard Texier Sculptures", Éditions du Patrimoine, Centre des monuments nationaux, 2011, Jean-Marie Laclavetine, "Richard Texier, Œuvres récentes", Éditions Le Temps qu'il fait, 2007, Gérard de Cortanze, "Richard Texier, La route du Levant - L'œuvre gravé", Somogy éditions d'art, 2006, Daniel Pennac, "Richard Texier - De l'abondance au Zénith", Flammarion, 2004, Kenneth White, "Richard Texier - Atlantic Latitude", Éditions Palantines, 2001 Patrick Grainville, "Richard Texier", Éditions de la Différence, 2e édition revue et augmentée 1999, Jean-Marie del Moral, "Richard Texier", Éditions Aaltus Cassendi, 1991, Christine Buci-Glucksmann, Philippe Carteron, Michel Cassé & Michel Enrici, "Richard Texier Peintures 1989-1990", Éditions Aaltus Cassendi, 1990

Selected Exhibition Catalogs Collectif, "Richard Texier - Exposition à la Galerie Pierre Levy", Biro éditeur, 2011, Philippe Le Guillou, "Richard Texier - Theoria sacra", Éditions Le temps qu'il fait, 2008, Zao Wou-Ki & Daniel Pennac, "Richard Texier - Créatures Mythiques", Edited by M Art Center Shanghai, 2008, Alice King Gallery, "Paintings on chinese nautical charts - Richard Texier", Alisan Fine Arts, 2007, Martina Corgnati, "Richard Texier, Opere recenti", Edited by Galleria San Carlo Milan, 2007 "L'Ouest céleste" Edited by the Museum of fine Art Shanghai, 2005 Serge Raffy, "Richard Texier, Les îles de la destinée", Edited by Galerie Thessa Herold, 2004 Marie Lavandier & François Haquin, "Les droits de l'homme - Richard Texier", Éditions du musée du président Jacques Chirac, 2001, Alexandre Grenier, "Homo Stella: Le nouveau système du monde", Edited by Galerie Thessa Herold, 2001 François Carrassan & Daniel Dobbels, "Richard Texier à la Villa Noailles", Éditions Plume, 1999, Jean Pierre Verdet, "Richard Texier, Le centre, le cercle et la périphérie", Éditions Le temps qu'il fait, 1998, Emmanuel de Fontainieu & Préface d'Erik Orsenna, "Richard Texier, Les outils du navigateur",Éditions Le temps qu'il fait, 1998, "Richard Texier - Peintures Récentes 1996", Edited by Galerie Virus Antwerp, 1996 Catherine de Braeckeleer, Victor Miziano, Leonid Bajanov & Stéphane Penxten, "Richard Texier - Moscou' 92", Le Botanique Éditions, 1993 Jean-Louis Giovannoni, "Richard Texier, Sculptures", Les Éditions du Cinq, 1993 Denis Montebello, "Richard Texier ou Le droit d'épave", Éditions Le temps qu'il fait, 1989, Bertrand Gibert, "Richard Texier", Edited by Lea Gredt, Luxembourg, 1988 Pierre Restany, Peter Frank, "Richard Texier- Codex Mira", Edited by the Sainte-Croix de Poitiers, Donjon de Niort, la Rochelle & la Roche sur Yon museums, 1985 Cherry Barbier & J-L Chalumeau, "Richard Texier - Mutus Luner", Simon Chaput Editor, 1983

Selected Illustrated Books 1988: C'est comme ça, Georges-L. Godeau, Éditions Le dé bleu / Le Castor astral, 1989: La Danse, suivi de Débris reconstruits, Lokenath Bhattacharya, French text by Franck-André Jamme, Éditions Festina Lente 1989: "Les Chambres de l’œil", Franck André Jamme, Éditions Fata Morgana 1990: Bois de lune, Franck André Jamme, Éditions Fata Morgana, 1990: Une petite affaire un peu spirituelle, Franck-André Jamme, Éditions SLM 1992: Pas japonais, Jean-Louis Giovannoni, Éditions Unes 1992: Le Roi du bois, Pierre Michon, Éditions Infernales 1994: Nicolas de Staël, André Du Bouchet, Éditions Au Fil de l’Encre 1996: L’horizon est plus grand, Patrick Deville, Éditions Le Petit Jaunais 1996: Le Navire poulpe, Gilbert Lascault, Éditions Le Petit Jaunais 1998: Traité des possibles, Zéno Bianu, Éditions Fata Morgana 1998: Se noyer en eau sèche, Salah Stétié, Éditions R.L.D. 1999: Codex oceanicus, Kenneth White, Éditions R.L.D. 1999: Rêves, Ernst Jünger, Éditions Fata Morgana, 2001: Ex-voto, Richard Texier, Éditions R.L.D. 2001: Fugue, Zéno Bianu, Éditions Maeght 2002: Pierre ouverte, Zéno Bianu, Éditions R.L.D. 2002: Exercices d’aimantation, Zéno Bianu, Éditions Les Petits Classiques du grand pirate 2003: In situ, Richard Texier, Éditions R.L.D. 2003: Une bouteille à la mer, Gérard Macé, Édition Les Presses de Sérendip 2006: L’Ouest céleste, Isabelle Autissier, Éditions R.L.D. 2012: Éloge des survivants, Zéno Bianu, Éditions Les Cahiers du Museur

Documentaries Radio "Nager - Richard Texier" Livres et vous, France Bleu, 17 August 2015 ""Nager" de Richard Texier par la librairie Comme un roman à Paris" Le Temps des libraires, France Culture, 30 June 2015 "L'amour des commencements" Carnet Nomade, France Culture, 20 June 2015 "Création" Le temps des écrivains, France Culture, 20 June 2015 "Social Club" Social club, Europe 1, 3 June 2015 "Social Club" Social club, Europe 1, 15 September 2014 "Richard Texier, un artiste nomade" Culture Vive, RFI, mercredi 9 May 2012

Video "Rencontre avec Richard Texier" Festival de Saintes, Connaissance des Arts, 11 July 2016 "Découvrez l'immense atelier parisien du peintre Richard Texier" LostParadise, Huffington Post, 3 June 2016 "Histoire de l'oeuvre Angel Bear par Richard Texier" YouTube, SNCF Gares & Connexions, 4 February 2016 "Richard Texier au travail" Documentaire, Benoit Labourdette, 7 October 2014 "Barbara Polla nous passionne pour Richard Texier et Pascal Convert" YouTube, Ouvre tes yeux, 5 July 2014 "Chaosmos" Documentaire, Benoit Labourdette, 18 June 2014 "Peinture" YouTube, Richard Texier, 17 March 2014 "A Poitiers et Niort" CULTURE T, Public Sénat, 19 April 2013 "Les Ailes" Documentaire, Benoit Labourdette, 11 July 2011 "Expo Richard Texier au Département de Seine-Maritime" Dailymotion, J'aime Département de Seine-Maritime, 26 June 2008 "Les tapisseries des droits de l'homme" Documentaire, Luc Héral, 2002 "Portrait du peintre Richard Texier" Journal de 20H, France 2, 1 June 1998 L'Arpenteur Celeste, a film by Camille Guichard, Production and distribution, Terra Luna Films, 1991