Infinitely sensitive and poetic, Pierrot Men’s work is polymorphic. Informative, ethnographic, bathed in humanity, it matured safely out of sight since the 1970s in order to become the incredible variety it is today.
Often rapid, condescending and Franco-centric – undoubtedly a throwback to colonialism – the inevitable references to several famous names have been used as benchmarks in the rare critical texts about it. However, it is obvious that a deeper analysis of his work takes us into much broader spheres, which immediately seals it in the history of photography and makes us consider Pierrot Men as one of the greats.
Even if he travels to faraway places from time to time, like Northern Africa and Europe, he mainly observes, chronicles and champions his island-continent: Madagascar. His affection for this land, the infinite love for its people, appear obviously in each of his images and make each one of them a tender and poetic gem expressed through priceless and reserved restraint.
But above and beyond all, when one looks at the back portrait “the man with bananas”, the borders, limits and references are all smashed to pieces. A simple image is displayed in all of its delicacy on the photographic film’s sensitive surface, with impressive power.
Here we are, unencumbered, projected into the universal and timeless beauty…
More information on: http://www.photosaintgermain.com/editions/2019/parcours/galerie-lee
Information
Galerie Lee
9 rue Visconti, 75006 Paris, France
November 06, 2019 to November 23, 2019
