"La Tentation" 60 x 50 cm. (sold)

"Les Vilaines de Nuit" 90 x 70 cm.

I had to choose a title for my new theme, which was not an easy thing to do. Texts and paintings often get on well together and “ the colour of words” qualifies the theme in question so well. It is declined in eloquent or suggestive evocations of a few texts or works in French, the diversity of the sources of which was a major concern. That is why, starting with the “Grand Meaulnes”, there is no thread connecting it to Matilda and her golden ring lost and miraculously found in the spring of the Abbey of Orval. No complicity either with “Notre-Dame de Paris”, a musical staged in such an extraordinary way that it moved me to the point of obsession. So what can be said about the interest aroused by the simple popular song, tunes that people hum with words that slip away and vanish before understanding the meaning of them…
And yet some prove to be real pieces of poetry worthy of the greatest writers! I had recorded so many of them in my repertory! Sadly, a choice has to be made; it only takes the time of a song to draw up a list! Texts, sounds and rhythms, all replete with memories and deeply felt emotions gradually gave substance to “The Colour of Words”. Since everything here will not be recorded, select Brel, Brassens, Cabrel, Barbara, Ballavoine to begin with; there are others to come…

On the literary side, my preference will still go the first work that really bowled me over, the one which was at the origin of my decision. The first spark falls by right to “Vilaines de nuit” (excerpt from “Pitié pour les ombres”) and by extension to the extraordinary fantastic tales of my friend Thomas Owen. Let me be allowed to dedicate this exhibition to him with the greatest of friendship. (M.B.)

"Le Pouvoir des Astres" 120 x 80 cm.