Wall composition, acrylic paint (1976)
This piece is a transposition of the contradictions of “Our Time” (the overall theme of the composition), from the struggles of the working population and men and women in general for a society with economic and social justice. We can see the crowds, the bikers who reject the everyday struggle, a newspaper reader, a demonstration,… The shapes and intense colours in shades of red and orange give the mural a challenging, even intrusive feel. Somville remarked: “I prefer to annoy than to please...” The gigantic 600 m2 mural in Hankar station was created with the help of six assistants. It is a typical expression of his vision and style, which does not shy from movement and excess, through the use of lines of force and intense colours and a violent energy. Roger Somville also places numerous scenes one next to the other in order to give a summary of his time.
TwitterList of links
ROGER SOMVILLE (1923 – 2014)
From the beginning of his career he has concentrated on the problem of how the public receives art: he joined many different groups that aimed to bridge the gap between art and the public. The artist actively participated in creating groups such as “Le Centre de Rénovation de la Tapisserie de Tournai” (1946), “Forces Murales” (1947), and “Art et Réalité” (1954). Art must be integrated into real life with its choice of themes, by addressing real life issues such as existence, and the everyday work, struggle and sufferings… We must re-evaluate techniques and materials such as tapestries, frescos, ceramics and mosaics. For Somville art is not just for the privileged. He rebels against conformism. He is just as happy to express himself on walls as on canvas. In the summer Somville mostly works in central France. Other than his art work, he is also involved in the World Peace Council. He fights tirelessly against the oppression of “the weak” and for “art which makes you shouts out with rage”.
PICTURE
