my main inspiration came from the very famous poem

written by the french poet, arthur rimbaud.

it’s called « le dormeur du val »

and every french kid has learnt it and usually everybody appreciates it and says it’s a nice piece of poetry.

it is a nice poem indeed but in fact, it talks about a dreadful reality because the young peaceful man, sleeping on the grass, is actually dead !

 

when i show my three gas masks, i offer to people different visions.

there is an esthetical combination with the flowers

growing into and around the masks, making it slightly disappear

and letting people forget about the reality

of the use of these military devices.

you can note that there is also a « natural » part in my work

because of the flowers that represent life going on in general,
whatever happens to men…and even if the flowers are toxic. 

 

i leave clues to the viewer to trace my actions and my whereabouts…