Abstract Hybrids: Loss, the Feminine Form and Nature

My residency at the Manoir de la Moissie will mark the prefiguration phase of a new body of work in these tumultuous times. I seek to narrate the concept of loss in an abstract manner and the intricate beauty of hope that emerges in its wake. I aim to shed light on the profound yet often misunderstood aspects of loss and hope through my paintings, while exploring the complex dichotomy of chaos in this conversation.

My upbringing in rural Normandy instilled in me a profound connection to the changing seasons. Seasons highly impact my creations-especially Fall. Fall, often associated with letting go, resonates with humans as we harmonize with nature's cycle of shedding leaves. The natural beauty of the outdoors has always been my primary source of inspiration, and Manoir de la Moissie provides the tranquility and setting that contrasts with my bustling urban studio in Paris. While focusing on painting, this residency promises a unique opportunity to discover the Périgord region and expand my knowledge of flora present in the Fall. I intend to document this region through sketches and analog photographies.I aspire to challenge myself by creating large-scale works, experimenting with micro and macro scales, with the fusion of raw black Chinese ink, precious tints, water colors, pastels and raw pigments.

In the late summer of 2023, I initiated the 'Sand and Seaweed' series. Those ferocious Normandy tides leave behind seaweed often resembling the root base of a tree in the Fall. The abstract darkness and structures of seaweed  recreated with Chinese ink tones evoke themes of loss, nostalgia, and a tribute to femininity.

November 2023, Mado Todd- Morel