Charles Le Hyaric

Critical text

In his artistic research, Charles Le Hyaric (b. 1987, Paris) brings together various forms of knowledge: from biology to astrophysics via chance. Always passionate about alchemy, he believes the scientist is in fact an artist. Living in Marseilles, he works while walking along the coast, inspired by the remains of plants, corals, and sea urchins which, due to the erosion of the waves and the deterioration of matter caused by salt and the wind, change colour and shape over the passing of time. His work as an alchemist on paper starts from these finds. Through the use of bleach, gold dust and turpentine on cardboard, Le Hyaric provides us with marine memories in shades of green and blue, specimens of flora and fauna collected along with reminders of human presence, such as boat timber or ship ropes. All the material found is not reused directly but exudes a marine aura that permeates all his work. Le Hyaric does not intend to describe the landscape of origin but takes his cue from it for the discovery of other forms and tones that preserve only its essence. His watercolours based on sugar, rust, and salt water conjure a sense of fluid physicality with bluish hues.

Text by Irina Zucca Alessandrelli

The artist’s voice

I mimic what one perceives from this great whole called 'nature'.