Benedicte Gele

Bénédicte Gelé is drawn equally to the animal and to the act of drawing itself. The living form, with its curves and movement, reminds her of the nude studies of her school days. The body in its simplest form, as crude as the pencil stroke, the artist’s basic technique, grey or black, pure and powerful.

“I do not paint for the myth or legend of the animal, or for its strength, even though I respect all of that. Above all, I paint the physical, the sensual, a wave of primal emotion that the body provokes. I could have chosen a man or a woman, but horses have a cruder, more animal quality to their posture than human beings who tend to intellectualize too much. Horses have a powerful, captivating presence, with their natural solidity.

Baccalaureate in Applied Arts
Certificate in Visual Communication

2020
• Canceled > GMAC Chatou, France

GALLERIES
Equis Art Gallery — Red Hook NY (USA)
"Atelier du Vivier" Gallery – Moret sur Loing (France)

MAIN AWARDS
• Bouvet Ladubay Prize at “22e Salon International de Saumur” / 2014
• 3 prizes at International Equine Art Competition / 2011
• First prize at “15e Salon International de Saumur” / 2007

MAIN EXHIBITIONS
2019
Art&Cavallo at the FieraCavalli – Verona, Italy
Trophée Carrare on the topic "Leonardo da Vinci" – Haras de St Lô, France
From Line To Dot, Ile d'Oléron, France
GMAC Chatou, France
2018
Grand Prix de la Ville de Talence 2018 - Bordeaux, France
Art & Haras 2018 - St Lô & Pompadour, France
Trophée Carrare on the topic "Le cheval de manège" – Haras de St Lô, France
Vermeer Centrum Delft - The Netherlands
2017
Expo 4 Art – Bordeaux (Fr)
Art Atlantic Show – La Rochelle (Fr)
Horse Exclusive Experience – Lisse, The Netherlands
Trophée Carrare on the topic "Tapisserie de Bayeux" – Haras de St Lô (Fr)
2016
• Salon du Petit Format - Saintes (Fr)
• Theatre Le Dôme - Saumur (Fr)
• Trophée Carrare - Haras National de St Lô (Fr)
• Solo Exhibition at La Maline - Ile de ré (Fr)
2015
• L'Art O'Carré - Orléans (Fr)
2014
• 22e Salon International de Saumur - Bauvet-Ladubay Prize - Saumur (Fr)
• Horse Utopia - Florence (Italie)
2012
• 
Aranima à La Hip Galerie - Paris (Fr)
2011
• Equine Art 2011 - Auburn (USA)
• International Equine Art Competition - 3 prizes - Art Horse (USA)
2010
• “Les animaux prennent la pose” - Barbizon (Fr)
2009
• Exhibition “Equine art” at Corner Gallery - Surrey (En)
2008
• 16e Salon International de Saumur - Saumur (Fr)
• Solo exhibition at St-Lô’s Stud farm - Saint-Lô (Fr)
2007
• “31e Salon National des Artistes Animaliers” - Bry-sur-Marne (Fr)
• “15e Salon International de Saumur” - First prize - Saumur (Fr)
2006
• Exhibition at “Théâtre Equestre Zingaro” - Aubervilliers (Fr)
• “Salon du Dessin et de la Peinture à l'Eau” - Grand Palais - Paris (Fr)