Frédéric Mercier (b. 01.08.1961)

Mercier is constantly researching and searching the question ‘how to present creation in paint ?’ A painting is merely an allusion to a reality, to a landscape, a season, a moment glimpsed, an emotion. In creating this illusion painting finds it purpose.
In his painting of his native Vendée, its 'bocage', that ultra verdant landscape, the plain in the south and the salt pans on the Ile de Ré, Mercier immerses himself in nature.
The theme of water has been central to Mercier’s landscape painting: the transparence, movement, capacity to reflect and re-present light and colour, constitutes a real metaphor for painting and it’s coloured matter, paint.

A recent development saw Mercier taken by the 'routes' of western France, and a series of somewhat more contemporary 'paysages urbains' where his use of intense, heightened colour is combined with a more geometric structure.

Working in acrylic and oil on larger format canvases, with occasional use of gouache on board for more intimate landscapes.


Education

1983-89 Beaux Arts of Tours, Poitiers and Bordeaux


Solo Exhibitions

2001 – ‘Etat de nature,’ Nef Theodelin, Vouvant
2002 – ‘Paysages’, Maison Billaud, Fontenay le Comte
2003 – ‘from portrait to landscape’, College Tiraqueau, Fontenay le Comte
2003 – ‘Landscapes’ Hotel de Ville, Xanton Chassenon
2004 – April/September – ‘Paysages et Reflets’, atelier du peintre, Vouvant
2005 – April/September – ‘Between Earth & Sky’, atelier du peintre, Vouvant
2005 – June/July – ‘Entre terre et ciel’, Nef Theodelin, Vouvant
2006 – January – ‘Salines et Reflets’, Galerie Genty, Vouvant
2006 – April/September – ‘Peintures’, atelier du peintre, Vouvant
2006 – June – ‘Reflets’, Galerie de la Tour des Laudes, Breuil Barret
2007 – February – ‘Paysages’, Galerie Genty, Vouvant
2007 – April/May – ‘Landscapes & Reflections’, Galerie Genty, Vouvant
2008 – June/July – ‘Landscapes’, Galerie Genty, Vouvant
2008 – July/August ‘Parcours professionnel’, atelier Nieul sur l’Autise
2008 – September – ‘The Plain’, Maison de la Meunerie, Nieul sur l’Autise

Selected group exhibitions

2004 – November – ‘Marais’, Galerie 39, Fontenay le Comte
2006 – January – ‘Routes et Salines’, Galerie Thuillier, Paris
2006 – April/May – ‘Kaleidoscope’, Nef Theodelin, Vouvant
2007 – July – ‘Les nouvelles metamorphoses’, La Commanderie, St Marc de la Lande
2007 – November – Salon Art Atlantique, with Galerie Genty, La Rochelle
2008 – June – ‘Paysages’ Galerie Septentrion, Marcq en Bareuil
2008 – October – Summer Exhibition Fairfax Gallery, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
2009 – October – ‘Re-enchant the world’, La Gare Galerie, Fontenay le Comte
2010 – November – ‘Artistes pour l’espoir’, Les Sorinieres, Nantes

Collections

Private and public collections in France, England, Cayman Islands and Norway

£900 - £5000