French artist’s exhibition inspired by Beijing city life

Chloe Silbano's residency exhibition (se) deplacer is being held at the Yishu 8 Beijing Art Center in September and Octoberin 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Yishu 8

 The 2020 Yishu 8 French Young Artist Award winner Chloé Silbano's residency exhibition (se) déplacer is being held at the Yishu 8 Beijing Art Center, located in the former site of the Sino-French University. The exhibition, set to run until October 12, mainly presents 12 oil paintings on canvas created by Silbano during her more than a month of staying in Beijing. 

The visual artist was born in 1986 and lives and works in Paris. She mainly engages in painting, sculpture and video creation. In 2020, Chloé won the Yishu 8 French Young Artist Award. She arrived in Beijing at the beginning of August to start a new residency and creation.

"The young French artist captures the soul of Beijing with her eyes and brushes. Next year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. I look forward to Yishu 8 continuing its artistic career," French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary said in his speech at last week's opening ceremony.

During her staying, Silbano lived in central Beijing, where she liked to walk 10 kilometers every day along the streets and alleys and through parks, observing the city. What first attracted the artist was "Chinese red." From Beijing's ancient city walls to traditional clothes, she came to understand Chinese people's love and use of this color. 

In the oil painting on canvas Untitled created in Beijing, she tried red canvas for the first time and painted on it with white paint, creating a unique atmosphere that solely belongs to Beijing.