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For several years now the work of French artist Caty Lévêque has been about capturing immediate life around her, its hidden meaning and secret connections; a kind of “diary and observation” in painting in which words, text and poetry play also an important role. 

Living in a village in the south of France, then in the Netherlands and now in Scotland has allowed her to meet different cultures and also to realise that observing life through a new language and with a foreigner’s eye was unlocking new potentialities, altering her perceptions, her behaviour, her way of communicating and thus her art.

 

The current exhibition “Unconscious birds (un journal intime)” presents the three diaries made in France, the Netherlands and Scotland. 

Each diary reflects the events, the mood and the perception of reality experienced by the artist during her stay in these countries.

 

The French diary for example is more about everyday living and experiencing the clash between art and village life and an attempt to show the universal behind the daily routine. During this time Caty published a book entitled “Un Journal Intime” which recorded this period of her life.  

 

The Dutch diary on the other hand is about how a foreign language can make you feel like being part of a Punch and Judy show, it’s an ”absurd illustration” of the learning of a new language , a consideration of its impact on the perception of the self, of the sense of innocence, awkwardness  and daring it can give you. But it is also about witnessing the curious blend of Dutch society; in 2006 from her studio in the red light district of The Hague she could observe the world of prostitutes rubbing shoulders with the ghost of the great philosopher Spinoza whose house was at the end of the very same street.

 

 In 2008 she moved to Scotland where she had to adapt herself to a new and different setting.

 She quickly developed a special bond with this country and, with the Scottish landscape tradition in mind, using a modern approach she resolved to mix landscapes, drawings and self penned texts in English. The Scottish diary is an attempt to translate the subconscious and strong emotions she is experiencing here. Her last works - landscapes painted on tissue papers superimposed on black ink drawings  which she calls “shadows “- are a good example of the new and original technique  she is using to express them.

 

This is her second solo exhibition in Edinburgh. She is exhibiting at the same time at the Heinzel gallery in Aberdeen.

website: www.catyleveque.com