Composition 7, 2015

Jihem  

Jihem's artistic career is rather unconventional but it was always obvious that he would become an artist. From ages 7 to 9, he attended the Laon Art School in the Hauts-de-France region but then he took a break... of over 45 years!

He studied for many years and had a brilliant career in another field, and for a while he ignored his childhood dreams. However, once he reached retirement age, going back to painting became a vital need for Jihem. He decided to devote himself to his lifelong passion: painting.

Jihem's sensitivity and painting technique are also unique. The artist, who loves acrylic painting, works on large-format canvas.

He uses all the space at his disposal to give free rein to his creativity. Unlike many of his peers, Jihem does not usually have an idea or strategy beforehand for the final creation of his paintings, but he needs to feel in total control of the space and to transcend it.  

Painting is more than a hobby for Jihem, it is a real necessity, a pressing need to inhabit the canvas, to bring it to life. Each of his abstract paintings reveal personality traits, desires, obsessions...

Sometimes, a small detail on the canvas may appeal to the artist. He will linger on a curve, a touch of color or a mere point. He might stop working for a while to be able to step back, refocus and reflect on what will happen next. This process can last for days or even weeks, but it remains beneficial to his painting and its harmony as a whole. 

Jihem considers the painting to be a perfect but extremely fragile balance that a brushstroke too many or too few can damage. The most difficult thing for him is to know when his work is definitely finished, following his sensitivity.

Unlock Jihem's mystery and enter his world with this unique selection of modern paintings.