Introduction
Paris is one of the few cities in the world where painting holds a permanent place in cultural life. From major museums to neighborhood galleries, art fairs, and unconventional venues, the French capital consistently hosts dozens of concurrent exhibitions. It was within this rich and demanding context that I presented “Sento,” a painting exhibition in Paris that allowed me to share my work in non-figurative contemporary painting and collage with an enthusiastic audience. Here is a candid look back at this event, the works on display, the conversations that took place, and what this experience meant to me as an artist.
A Look Back at My "Sento" Painting Exhibition in Paris: The Artworks and the People I Met
Reading time: ~6 min
- What "Sento" meant
- The works on display at the exhibition
- Meetings and exchanges
- Paris as a testing ground and a platform for visibility
- FAQ
- "Sento," an exhibition showcasing contemporary non-figurative painting in Paris
What "Sento" meant
The title “Sento” comes from Japanese and refers to traditional public baths—places where people gather to relax both body and mind, and where social boundaries dissolve for a shared moment. I chose this word because it embodies an idea that is close to my heart: art as a shared space, a place where everyone can set aside their preconceptions and let emotion take hold.
My paintings do not tell stories in the literal sense. They evoke atmospheres, textures, and a balance of materials and colors that invite a form of attentive presence. The exhibition “Sento” brought together some twenty recent works, all created through painting and collage on canvas, without figurative elements. The goal was to create a strong visual coherence while allowing each piece its own breathing room.
You can view some of these works in the online gallery, which offers a glimpse into my entire body of work.
A Paris art exhibition blending abstraction and contemporary collage
This Paris painting exhibition is part of the capital’s vibrant artistic scene and builds on my exploration of contemporary non-figurative painting and collage, conceived as a shared space for encounter with the viewer.
The works on display at the exhibition
A dialogue between matter and silence
The core of the exhibition consisted of medium-sized works, ranging from 30 to 60 centimeters, which could be viewed both from a distance and up close. The layers of paint, the fragments of paper embedded in the surface, and the areas of smudging and transparency created an effect of depth that photography cannot fully capture. It is precisely for this reason that the physical exhibition remains irreplaceable.
Among the pieces that drew the most attention, “L’heure bleue” caught the eye of many visitors with its cool color palette and suspended composition. This work is part of a series in which I explore transitions of light—those moments between two states that are difficult to put into words.
“Partition” also left a lasting impression. The title refers to music, to the idea of a visual composition that functions like musical notation, with rhythms, silences, and repetitions. This piece is a good illustration of my working method: I build up a surface in several stages, letting each layer dry and then returning to it with a fresh perspective.
Larger formats to define the space
Two large-scale canvases framed the exhibition. Their physical presence in the space was distinct: they demanded a certain distance, a slower, more contemplative viewing. These works belong to a practice that I readily associate with the artists who defined abstract painting in the second half of the twentieth century, such as Pierre Soulages and Sean Scully, even though my approach remains my own, rooted in a contemporary and personal sensibility.
| Work or type | Format | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-format works | Between 30 and 60 centimeters | Can be viewed from a distance or up close; layers of paint, fragments of paper, and depth effects. |
| “The Blue Hour” | Non-figurative painting | Cool color palette, suspended composition, exploration of the transitions in light between two states. |
| “Score” | Non-figurative painting | A visual composition conceived as musical notation, alternating between rhythms, silences, and repetitions, built up in successive layers. |
Meetings and exchanges
An attentive and curious audience
What touched me most during this art exhibition in Paris was the quality of the interactions with visitors. Many came with genuine curiosity, without trying to make connections or show off their knowledge. They looked, paused, and came back. Some asked questions about the materials, others wanted to understand the process, and still others simply shared what they felt when viewing a particular piece.
I’ve had conversations with collectors who were looking for a piece that could, in their own words, “breathe life into” an interior. That phrase struck a chord with me, because it captures exactly what I’m trying to do: create pieces that don’t merely decorate but inhabit a space, establishing a lasting presence there.
Professionals and outside perspectives
The exhibition also attracted industry professionals, galleries, and individuals working in high-end interior design. These encounters are invaluable, not because they necessarily lead to immediate collaborations, but because they provide an opportunity to have one’s work evaluated by trained and discerning eyes.
Several visitors have asked me if I participate in art fairs like Art Paris, which brings together French and international galleries every year and is a highlight of the contemporary art calendar in the capital. It’s an avenue I’m actively exploring for the coming seasons.
You can view a list of my past and upcoming exhibitions to stay up to date on my latest news.
Paris as a testing ground and a platform for visibility
Exhibiting in Paris means becoming part of a vibrant and demanding cultural ecosystem. The city boasts a vast array of artistic offerings, with museums, foundations, galleries, and events covering every style and period. For a contemporary artist, this density is both an opportunity and a challenge: competition is fierce, eyes are keen, and the Parisian public is accustomed to seeing works of the highest caliber.
It is precisely this demanding nature that makes Parisian exhibitions so formative. Each installation is an opportunity to assess whether the work holds up in the space, whether the coherence of a series is clear, and whether the pieces engage in dialogue or cancel each other out. “Sento” allowed me to gauge the maturity of certain pieces and identify directions to explore in my studio.
FAQ
Where can I see Frédérique Lafourcade’s works on display in Paris?
The works are featured in temporary exhibitions, the dates and locations of which are announced on the artist’s official website. The online gallery also allows visitors to explore the artist’s entire available body of work, complete with information on each piece.
How can I purchase a painting from the “Sento” exhibition?
Several of the works featured in the exhibition are available for purchase. Please contact us directly via the contact page for information on availability, sizes, and terms of purchase.
What kind of painting does Frédérique Lafourcade do?
Frédérique Lafourcade’s practice falls within the realm of contemporary non-figurative painting and collage. Her works are built up in successive layers, blending pigments, materials, and papers to create surfaces that are both rich and subdued, reminiscent in spirit of certain movements in European and American abstraction.
Are the exhibitions open to the general public?
Yes. The exhibitions are open to everyone, whether you’re an art lover, a collector, or simply curious. Opening receptions are a great opportunity to meet the artist and discuss the works.
"Sento," an exhibition showcasing contemporary non-figurative painting in Paris
The “Sento” exhibition will always be a milestone for me, not because it solved everything, but because it confirmed what really matters: non-figurative contemporary painting finds its audience when it is presented in a setting that allows it to breathe. Paris offers this setting with rare generosity. I continue to work there, exhibit there, and meet the people who bring this art scene to life. If you’d like to learn more about my approach or discover my entire body of work, I invite you to explore the website and contact me regarding any exhibition or acquisition projects.