"Places + Names:" a special art exhibition in France

The long-awaited art reception at Galerie des Marches in Aubusson, France on October 15th was fabulous! I could hardly wait to share the images with you, so without further ado, here is my newly installed collection of artwork.

Pour yourself a glass of wine, nibble on some good French cheese, and invite a friend or loved one to visit the exhibition with you.

Feel free to add your comments, questions, or inquiries on the artwork. I’d love to hear how the artwork connects with you.

It was the most wonderful evening after so many years of working towards making this exhibition a reality.

Welcoming guests and collectors at the “Places and Names” exhibit at Galerie des Marches

-4 more Cluzel photos-

Discussing the art from outside the window with the gallerist, Jérôme Bel.

At the end of the evening we lingered outside the gallery to discuss the exhibit further. I cannot imagine a better evening. Merci, Aubusson.⁠

*Thank you to Eric Cluzel of the Aubusson & Felletin Office of Tourism, who took many of these photos.

L'invitation, en français:

15/10 - 18h - Inauguration "PLACES & NAMES" - une installation de RENÉ D. SHOEMAKER - galerie des marches / Aubusson

Chers amis,

« Places and names » est une installation textile toute en légèreté que l’artiste américaine René D. Shoemaker met en place pour la première fois comme un trait d’union entre son pays natal et sa Creuse d’adoption.

L’évidence d’une nécessaire simplicité dans la relation entre positionnement de tous et identité de chacun y prolonge en subtils chromatismes et douce ironie la quête d’une ligne par laquelle cette spécialiste de la soie trace depuis quarante ans un chemin discret comme une silencieuse et sagace balade mémorielle.

Si « Places and names » interroge notre condition déambulatoire avec gaité et pudeur à la fois, sa présence en nos murs jusqu’à la fin de l’année en cours permettra aussi d’accueillir le 22 octobre la poétesse anglaise Kate Rose pour une lecture publique à partir de son nouveau recueil « Brushstrokes » (Mosaïquepress), à 17 heures alors.

En écho avec la première participation de René D. Shoemaker au programme de la SmallArt Gallery de Rochester (Minnesota), nous sommes donc enchantés de déjà vous convier à cette inauguration aubussonnaise samedi 15 octobre à partir de 18h.

"Places and names"

entrée libre

jeudi de 14h à 19h

vendredi de 15h à 19h

samedi de 11H à 19h

dimanche de 15h à 18h

jusqu'au 31 décembre inclus

http://www.reneshoemaker.com/

https://katerose.online/

--

des marches

31 Rue Vieille

23200 AUBUSSON

+33 (0) 679 481 384

galeriedesmarches@gmail.com

The invitation, in English:

October 15, 2022 - 6 PM. Private view: “PLACES & NAMES” - an installation by RENÉ D. SHOEMAKER - Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

Dear friends,

“Places and names” is a graceful textile installation that the American artist René D. Shoemaker arranges together in place for the first time as a link between her native country and the Creuse of her adoption.

The evidence of a necessary simplicity in the relationship between the positioning of the artwork and the identity that each one prolongs in subtle chromatism and gentle irony in the quest for a line by which this specialist of silk for forty year traces a discreet path like a silent and sagacious memory walk.

If “Places and names” questions our ambulatory condition with gaiety and modesty, its presence on our walls until the end of the current year will also allow us to welcome on October 22 the English poet Kate Rose for a public reading of her new collection “Brushstrokes”, (Mosaique Press) at 5 pm.

Echoing René Shoemaker’s first participation in the program of the SmällArt Gallery in Rochester Minnesota, we are delighted to invite you to this inauguration in Aubusson on Saturday, 15 October from 6 pm.

"Places and names"

entrance free

thursday 2 - 7pm

friday 3 - 7 pm

saturday 11am - 7 pm

sunday 3 6 pm

through december 31

http://www.reneshoemaker.com/

https://katerose.online/

--

des marches

31 Rue Vieille

23200 AUBUSSON

+33 (0) 679 481 384

galeriedesmarches@gmail.com

Many thanks to gallerist Jérôme Bel for sharing this experience with me.

-the end-

Adding New Dimensions to My Art

I'll keep this newsletter short today with just three items of note. My artwork and art career have taken on some new dimensions, and I couldn't wait to share them with you! Music, video, and audio recordings are all in store:

1) Ed Cashin of Atlanta, GA was inspired to compose music to accompany my tropical flower paintings. I invite you to click on the links below to listen to two examples.

Orchid Riot

Aechmea Caudata

Which of the two compositions do you like best? I'm intrigued by the different energy that is captured in each piece. They each have their own personality!

2) The Columbus Museum's program "60 Seconds with the Artist" for their virtual museum invited me to discuss the "12th and Broadway, Columbus, Ga" large-scale painting I created for my exhibit "Discovering the Chattahoochee Valley" there in 2015-16. Click here to listen to that interview.

I'm proud to be included with so many accomplished artists in this audio visual series.

12th and Broadway. Columbus, GA

Included here is your invitation to our Vernissage (art reception) in Paris:

Exhibition invitation for you, designed by Alejandra Paz

3) AND last but not least: You can watch a video interview with the curator of the Paris exhibit and me regarding the exhibit that is on display through October 15th.

Christina and René discussing the premise of the exhibit in the video.

Included here is also the interview with Christina and my co-exhibitor Anne Buxerolle; her interview is in French.

All of the  "Les temps de la forêt" artworks are for sale except for Coffee Arabica #3 and #4, as they were purchased last week by a collector in Oklahoma (Thank you, Tom!). Contact Christina or me for purchase inquiries. 

Thank you for taking the time to look at (and listen to) these links. And please let me know your opinions on all this new work - I ALWAYS appreciate hearing from you!

With gratitude,

-René

Now On Exhibit:

August  28 - October 15, 2020
Reception: October 1st
Les temps de la forêt:
de l'écorce à la fleur
La Caféothèque de Paris
52, rue de l'Hotel de Ville
 Paris, 75004, France

Expanding your art collection?  Contact me for commissions and/or a private tour of my art, which is available in many sizes & price points.

In Athens, my paper goods and small gifts are carried by:
 KA Artist Shop .

Sustainable packaging courtesy of 
noissue .

Thank you for supporting the arts in Athens, in France, and beyond.

With gratitude, 
-René

An evening in Paris with Art

I can't express how much fun it was to ride up to Paris on the train with 19 new artworks in my suitcase to hang in my new exhibit at La Caféothèque. Even more fun than riding the train was BEING in Paris, meeting with my colleagues, and HANGING the long-awaited show. It was great! The whole process was captured on video, and innumerable photos were taken. I met with my friend and curator, Christina Chirouze Montenegro, and the artist Anne Buxerolle, with whom I was shared the exhibit space. 

Exhibition catalog, designed by Christine Chirouze Montenegro

The sunrise that morning was strikingly beautiful, welcoming me a new day and a new adventure. Once I arrived at Gare d'Austerlitz, I walked along the Seine River to La Caféothèque de Paris where the exhibit was scheduled and... celebrated my adventure with the best café latte In the heart of Paris. The exhibit will be on display through October 15th and the reception will be held October 1st in conjunction with the 15th anniversary party for La Caféothèque. I am extremely excited to be part of this memorable occasion honoring a business I so deeply respect.

Sunrise over La Creuse from the train, August 2020

First course of business when arriving in Paris, enjoying a coffee at La Caféothèque de Paris (in the time of coronavirus).

We mounted the exhibit after the café closed. Les temps de la forêt: entre la fleur & l'écorce (The times of the forest: between the flower and the bark) is beautifully displayed, with Anne's detailed wood drawings mainly in the first room, and my flower paintings on silk in the tropical room - which made perfect sense as my flowers are  all TROPICAL!

The tropical room at La Caféothèque

All the artwork is for sale. You can contact me to check on availability, but sales are handled by Christina. You can reach her directly at christina@lacafeotheque.com or through Instagram at @coffeexhibits . The prices range from 120€ - 435€ ($140 - $515) each, and they would love to share their living space with you.

Scenes from the exhibit

It's been fun to share these adventures with you! Here are a few more photos of Paris for you to enjoy. Have you ever been to Paris? if so, what was your favorite experience there? Leave a note in the comment box below - I’d love to hear from you!

Sunset over Paris, a perfect ending for a perfect day

Now On Exhibit:

August  28 - October 15, 2020
Reception: October 1st
Les temps de la forêt:
de l'écorce à la fleur
La Caféothèque de Paris
52, rue de l'Hotel de Ville
 Paris, 75004, France

and 

August  15 - September 27, 2020
SPACE: 2020 Juried exhibition
ATHICA: Athens Institute for Contemporary Arts
675 Pulaski St, Suite 1200
Athens, GA 30601, USA

La mémoire et le lieu: Exposition de peintures sur soie de René Shoemaker

Memory and Place: Exhibition of Silk Paintings by René Shoemaker

My solo exhibition in Felletin, France, is nearing its installation completion... and then opening to the public! I'm beyond excited! As I write this, all of the finishing touches are happening. My husband Harvey has joined in on the fun, and is currently finishing the construction of some portable walls. It truly does take a village, and I'm so grateful for Harvey, my friend Eileen who has helped make it all happen, my new friend Eric (who also happens to be the grandson of the couple who opened Le Grand Café, which shows up often in my artwork. Small world! See the latest piece at the show and a detail below), and friends near and far who have offered their well wishes, expertise, and overall enthusiasm. 

The announcement (thanks, Eleanora!)

View fullsize

The announcement in situ

+ + +

FRAMING ARTWORK IN FRANCE

I wanted to work with someone local to frame my new works, rather than schlep a bunch of framed pieces from the States, and I found a perfect collaborator in Thierry Roger. How incredible it is to work with someone so well even though we don't speak the same language! He prepares the mat board for me, which I then sew my silks onto. I return the finished works and he frames them beautifully. He also dyes wool for tapestry artisans, and is the last traditional dyer of yarn in Aubusson, so we are clearly a match made in heaven in our love of color.

View fullsize

detail of a new work featuring Le Grand Café, opened by Eric's grandparents

View fullsize

detail of the sewn mat board (click to enlarge)

+ + +

Here I offer you a sneak peek of what's to come on Wednesday:

+ + +

COMING UP

In the next several weeks I look forward to sharing exhibition images, a story about Les Michelines, an incredible silkscreen studio and atelier that I collaborated with (hi, Mélanie!), as well as a conversation between myself and curator/artist Hope Hilton on how my work has evolved in the last year, with a special focus on my move to France and working in a new studio. If you have any questions that you'd like to see answered, send them along or comment below and we will happily include them.

Merci! -René