In Conversation with Contemporary French Artist Hermentaire

 

My African heritage is not a conscious reference in my work, but it naturally permeates my creations, like a silent memory. It may manifest in the way I approach shapes, colours, or the apparent simplicity of my figures. 

 

In my dreamlike landscapes, this influence can also be seen in the organic relationship between elements, an instinctive connection between humans, animals, and nature, reminiscent of a worldview where everything is interconnected. But more than my cultural heritage, what I seek is a state of mind—one of spontaneous, free creation, close to the intuitive expression found in children's art. 

At the heart of my work is a constant quest: translating emotions and inner visions into images or sounds. Whether through cinema, music, or painting, I explore atmospheres, rhythms, and a certain sense of narration. For this exhibition, the influence of cinema and music is perhaps noticeable in the composition of the works: some scenes are structured almost like film frames, while the fluidity of shapes and colors evokes movement, a vibration similar to musical rhythm. 

 

This time, I wanted to further develop the storytelling aspect of the paintings by bringing them to life. I collaborated with my wife, Alexandra Leroux, to create a film that animates certain paintings from the exhibition and makes them interact, all set to music. This was the best way to bring these three disciplines—painting, cinema, and music—together. 

 

I try as much as possible to embrace a sense of letting go in my creative process, which at times may resemble a dream state or a form of self- hypnosis. Some forms emerge on their own, as if they impose themselves on me. For this exhibition, I became even more aware of the power of the unconscious and decided to fully trust it, allowing the images to surface even more freely, without constraint.