Untitled 136, 2022

André Debono  

André Debono is a contemporary French abstract painter based in Nîmes. Deeply influenced by the radical deconstruction of the Supports/Surfaces movement—particularly the legacy of Claude Viallat—Debono works as a strict formalist. He rejects any hierarchy between the support and the subject, focusing entirely on the raw physical process and the pure energy of color.

The Masonite & Aerosol Series
In this series of raw assemblages, Debono pairs fragments of Masonite (Isorel) with vibrant aerosol spray paint. A defining element of these works is the raw, visible "tearing" (déchirement) along the edges of the fiberboard. When cut or broken, the compressed wood fibers naturally split and splinter.

Embracing his philosophy of "non-mastery," Debono deliberately leaves these jagged, organic edges exposed rather than smoothing them out. This creates a powerful tension: the wild, rough texture of the torn wood stands in stark contrast to the sleek, industrial flatness of the spray paint, all masterfully balanced within a rigorous geometric composition.