Clovis Retif

Clovis Retif is a French artist whose creative journey unfolds between the vibrant cities of Paris and Brussels. He holds a degree in spatial design from the esteemed École Supérieure des Arts de Saint-Luc in Belgium. Initially immersed in the realm of architecture, Clovis eventually shifted his focus to drawing, where he found his true artistic voice. His profound love for nature, juxtaposed with a life lived in the urban sprawl, serves as a rich source of inspiration. Clovis articulates, "The role of an artist is to reflect the world through personal lenses, to express one's own reality." His drawings delve into themes that resonate deeply with his identity and philosophy, exploring the delicate balance of natural order, the solitude inherent in the creative process, and the complexities of confronting an uncertain future. Through his work, he conveys a spectrum of emotions—from disarray and fear to wonder and an appreciation for beauty. Clovis employs graphite pencils, ranging from 3H to 8B, to create striking visuals that shimmer with a metallic quality reminiscent of paint. This technique is particularly evident in his debut series, "Solitude Contemporaine," where the interplay of chrome and reflection enhances his exploration of solitude. His commitment to black and white is a deliberate choice, transcending mere binary representation. Achieving deep blacks involves navigating a range of greys, which symbolize the shadows on paper. Light, in its essence, reveals everything we perceive; thus, the deepest shadows, devoid of color and dimension, embody their true significance. In this interplay of light and shadow, Clovis captures the essence of our material world, suggesting that understanding the physical realm requires acknowledging the relationship between light and its absence.