Artist:
Cecile Filipe
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Cecile Filipe was born in Lisbon. She moved to Paris with her parents in 1975 at the age of nine, following the end of the Salazar dictatorship in Portugal. Disconnected from her home, her friends and from native language, she found solace in drawing. Filipe studied interior
architecture at the Camondo School, graduating in 1991, but continued to develop her studio practice in parallel with a successful career in architecture.
Filipe’s paintings are at once expressive and highly structured, often contrasting deep blacks with bright primary reds, yellows and blues. They expose the influence of her architectural background and a longing for the Lisbon of her childhood. In much of her work, broad gestural brush strokes sit below more rigid linear marks, which appear like a sculptor's armature, providing stability and tension for the plastic materials of modelling. This duality of poetry and form underlying Filipe’s approach creates a constantly shifting focus between impression and definition, strength and fragility.
Filipe considers painting a necessity and works intuitively using acrylic paint, pure pigments, inks, watercolour and collage. “Painting allows me to expel my emotions. It's also a constant inner and aesthetic search for light, depth and balance. I want to paint what can't be seen : the breath, the wind, the movement, the emotion, the rustle of the leaves, rain, ice, seasons.”
Cecile Filipe’s work has been presented in numerous group and solo exhibitions, including: Visionary Projects The Era of Change, New York (2021); Chaon Gallery, Granville (2017); Lefeuvre Gallery, Paris (2011); Anne Anderruthy Gallery, Paris (2010); Art Generation Gallery, Paris (2009); Art Generation Gallery, Paris (2008); Debejarry Gallery, Paris (2008); A7 Gallery, Auvillar (2007); Debejarry Gallery, Paris (2007).
She has also been shown at art fairs throughout Europe, including: Rois Auction House, Frejus (2018); L’Art Sous Les Paves Art Show, Paris (2018); Mc Gallery Collection Hotel Molitor Art Show, Boulogne Billancourt (2017); L’Art Sous Les Paves Art Show, Paris (2017); Affordable Art Fair, La Bellevillouise, Paris (2017); Rossini Auction House, Paris (2009); Bas’art Art Mecca, Fréjus (2009); Parc de Saint Cloud Auction House, Garches (2008); Artside Art Factory, Strasbourg (2008); Newell Rubbermaid Art Show, Boulogne Billancourt (2008); L'Avant Rue Exhibition Center, Paris (2007); Town Hall of the 17th, Paris (2007).
LandEscape Contemporary Art Review
Cecile Filipe is honoured in the LandEscape Contemporary Art Review 2021 - Anniversary Edition. Including a 26 page feature of her paintings and an interview with curators Josh Ryder and Melissa C. Hilborn. Some of the works featured are currently available through NoonPowell Fine Art and can be viewed in the gallery. Email: info@noonpowellfineart.com to arrange a viewing or for more information regarding the collection.