Oil painting on mounted canvas (1976)
With dozens of curved strips arranged in concentric arches, in a spectrum of colours that follows the structure of a rainbow, the artist evokes an impressive sky full of the burning rays of the sun. A few elongated grey clouds pass over the arches of the circle. The city appears as a futuristic, magical vision, but also as a threat. From the green hills topped with orange, two little beings watch the amazing sight. The idea for “Magic City” was born whilst Jean-Michel Folon sat staring at the 150 m2 large grey concrete wall for which he had been asked to create a work of art. Suddenly, rays of sunlight shone through a hole in the roof into the station. He then realised that there is never any sunlight in the metro and that a picture of a radiant sun shining on a magical city would give a bit of colour to this underground world.
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JEAN-MICHEL FOLON (1934 – 2005)
At the age of 21, Jean-Michel Folon decided to end his architecture studies at the Ecole Nationale Supérieur de la Cambre. He wanted to draw the big city, the way of life in the metropolis. In the space of a few months Folon discovered his themes and style. His drawings gave an outstanding impression of the modern world, were published in numerous newspapers and magazines, and made him famous everywhere. With little means but always a lot of artistic efficiency, the artist manages to combine the aesthetic aspect with a deeper meaning. The stylisation and simplification of visible reality, spiritual discovery and a critical attitude complement each other in an exemplary fashion. But whether it is a question of illustrations in books or on posters, for Jean-Michel Folon it’s always about people. He represents people in all sorts of environments, both in the city and in the countryside. Other than the Brussels metro, Folon’s work is also present in the London underground and in the Congress building in Monaco. He has had many exhibitions in the United States, Japan, Italy and Paris.
Picture
At the age of 21, Jean-Michel Folon decided to end his architecture studies at the Ecole Nationale Supérieur de la Cambre. He wanted to draw the big city, the way of life in the metropolis. In the space of a few months Folon discovered his themes and style. His drawings gave an outstanding impression of the modern world, were published in numerous newspapers and magazines, and made him famous everywhere. With little means but always a lot of artistic efficiency, the artist manages to combine the aesthetic aspect with a deeper meaning. The stylisation and simplification of visible reality, spiritual discovery and a critical attitude complement each other in an exemplary fashion. But whether it is a question of illustrations in books or on posters, for Jean-Michel Folon it’s always about people. He represents people in all sorts of environments, both in the city and in the countryside. Other than the Brussels metro, Folon’s work is also present in the London underground and in the Congress building in Monaco. He has had many exhibitions in the United States, Japan, Italy and Paris.