Biography

Born from the accumulation of images with the passing of his first job as a photographer, Benoit HOFMANN reveals finally his work to us.

Within his early years, he was brought up in a creative environment. His father, who was a painter from Grenoble, set himself up as a ceramist in Vallauris, during the big Period of Picasso.
This childhood is rich in emotions and in exchanges with painters, ceramists, jewellery designers… filled with colours of the sea that offer many shades and sensations, from the ochre red of the Esterel’s mountains to the Mediterranean sunshine.

Writing and music aren’t unfamiliar to his sensitivity.
Naturally this atmosphere brings him to study at the Beaux-Arts in Aix-en-Provence whom a few teachers belong to the group “Support-Surface”.
Benoit Hofmann is truly a self-taught painter.
In 2006 life gives him the opportunity to finally express himself with his paintings. A first period called “Paysages Improbables” (2006/2010) will turn out to be a therapy by gesture and a transfer on the canvas of his emotions contained for over 10 years.
He has exhibited in 2006, in France in Saint-Rémy de Provence (13) and in 2007 in Biot (06).
In 2009 he moves to La Tronche (France). This change of environment inspires him a new period called “Lumières”.
His paintings tend to show the signs of the Impressionist movement. They are a constant research and evolution. Could they also be described as “nuagiste”, with regard to their mental and abstract landscapes in the search for the light, like René Laubiés ?

The artist spreads his emotions, mixing colours with the will of his inspiration. He plays around with warm shades, yellow-green, orange, creating relief and depth. His canvases speak to us, the four elements are here, earth, water, air and fire, present in this abstract world that the artist managed to deliver to us. Jazz music always accompanies him while he paints.
Very often from these “Lumières” emanates serenity, sometimes untidiness. There are no reading codes ; everyone will find their own way to do it.
Today his technique called ‘acrylic on canvas’ evolves towards bigger surfaces, on wooden boards, giving to his gesture enough space for his movement : a strong movement, such as the wave, being essential in his recent work.
We managed to find in his three last exhibitions (Arthaud’s bookshop in Grenoble, Palais des Festivals in Cannes, Médiathèque in Mandelieu and Montrigaud Space in Seyssins in 2012), this “Lumières” period which is the result of a settled wisdom and a boiling creativity.