Sadhus in conversation Drawing

Michel TESTARD a French painter of India Born in Tokyo, Michel Testard was predestined for a career in the Orient.Indeed, the artist's birthplace was the origin of a destiny that weaves through continents and cultures. Coming from a French artistic lineage, Michel attended the Art School of ‘les Ateliers de la Ville de Paris’ which endowed him with techniques and influences that enriched his natural talent. After years spent in Africa, France and England, a twist of serendipity transported Michel to India, an incredible continent that he sees half-way between France and Japan! In India Michel found more than a muse; he found an expansive canvas alive with history, culture, stories, colors and sounds. Not content with visual explorations, Michel - also a classical guitarist - delved into the rich musical tradition of India, dedicating over seven years to learning the sitar. This musical journey, coupled with his travels, enriched his understanding of the Indian psyche, culture, and diverse people. Michel's canvases are a vibrant testimony to the multifaceted beauty of India. From the majestic ruins, temples and forts that echo the XIXth century British landscapers Daniells to the diverse terrains that stretch from verdant Kerala to the arid Rajasthan up to the Mountains of Himalaya and Kashmir, Michel captures everything with fervor. He loves the serene beauty of rural India, contrasting starkly with Indian cities, vibrant with energy and traffic, wealth and poverty, pollution, and chaos. The people of India, each telling a unique tale of dreams, aspirations, and struggles, populate his works. His musical journey in India is also rendered with musicians and concerts. Yet, it's not just the tangible realities of India that Michel paints. He weaves in the fantasy of Indian jungles, the nostalgia of Goa, or the sacred atmosphere of sites like Benares or Puri (Orissa). A distinctive facet of Michel's work is his penchant for fantasy and caricature. He possesses a rare ability to meld humor with depth, producing intriguing compositions like a French philosopher in deep conversation with an Indian guru. The juxtaposition of contrasting realities, such as the chic Delhi Art Fair adjacent to a bustling slum or the whimsical caricatures of Maharajahs and yogi camps nestled in the jungle, adds a layer of playful critique and reflection to his art.