Jean Dometti doesn’t paint to decorate walls. He paints to open up a passage, a space for dialogue between matter, memory and sensation. From 16 May to 15 June 2025, the Centre culturel Jacques Prévert in Mers-Les-Bains will be exhibiting 44 of the artist’s works based on a founding theme: the four elements. Earth, air, fire, water… so many forces that Dometti does not seek to represent, but to evoke, to make vibrate at the heart of the canvas.

Born in 1950, Jean Dometti grew up with the tremors of May ‘68. He began his creative career in the theatre, designing sets and costumes, before studying art and industrial design at the École Normale Supérieure de Cachan. There he rubbed shoulders with visual artists and designers, engravers and thinkers about visual space. Early on, he chose a challenging path: to make a living from art without depending on the market, and to teach in order to preserve the freedom to create.

His work is rooted in places – the Corsican mountains, cathedrals, ruined factories – but above all in their memory. Jean draws, engraves and paints what the place whispers to him. The material is a language and the artist is its translator. Wood, canvas, slate, hand-made paper… each medium carries a story that the artist reveals, expands, sometimes even carves out, as in his early engravings now on display at the Bibliothèque nationale.

The exhibition at Prévert is also the story of a turning point. In 2020, at the very beginning of Covid, Dometti was diagnosed with cancer. He spent six months in hospital, opening himself up to a new perception of life and a radical change in his painting. More light. More contradictions. More dynamism.

The elements saved me,» he confides. «I rediscovered the light.

We find this energy in his round canvases, a first in his career, where water rubs shoulders with fire, air swirls above the earth. He blends the organic and the abstract, the raw and the delicate, in a series that seems to float between the real world and the inner world.

An inhabited exhibition With 44 works, including 26 works on paper, mixed media and large format, the exhibition offers an immersion into a universe that is both intimate and universal. The scenography, conceived as a breath of fresh air, gives space to each work, allowing it to breathe, to question, to move the eye.

Dometti does not try to impose a discourse. He sets shapes, tensions and silences, leaving the viewer free to receive. A work,» he says, «is a triangle: the artist, the canvas, the gaze of the other.

With Dometti, nothing is set in stone. Art is movement, intuition and discovery. A constant dialogue between what has been experienced and what has yet to be invented. This exhibition is much more than an exhibition: it’s a poetic manifesto, an invitation to rethink our relationship with the elements, with places, with ourselves.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton, renowned for its commitment to contemporary art, presents from 9 April to 31 August 2025 an exceptional exhibition dedicated to David Hockney, an iconic figure in modern painting. This retrospective, simply entitled ‘David Hockney 25’, celebrates the artist’s seven-decade career by highlighting over 400 works that trace a rich and varied career, from his earliest beginnings to his most recent creations.

In the diverse and ever-evolving world of contemporary art, Xiumin Men is carving out his own path with a personal and introspective approach to ink painting. Drawing inspiration from Taoist philosophy and the beauty of nature, this Chinese artist explores the harmony between humanity and the universe, blending abstraction with tradition in his creative process.

Redefining ink painting

Rooted in the rich heritage of Chinese ink painting, Xiumin Men brings a contemporary twist to this age-old art form. While honoring traditional techniques and principles, he incorporates abstract and philosophical elements that resonate with a modern audience. His work reflects the Taoist concept of “the unity of heaven and man”, striving to depict the interconnectedness of all living things.

Rather than merely replicating classic landscapes, his paintings aim to capture a deeper, intangible essence. The interplay of soft, fluid lines and structured forms creates a dynamic dialogue between order and chaos, the visible and the unseen.

A Journey Toward Recognition

Although not yet a household name, Xiumin Men is gradually gaining recognition on the international art scene. In 2020, he received an award at the Salon du dessin et de la peinture à l’eau at the Grand Palais in Paris, marking a significant milestone in his career. This opportunity introduced his work to European audiences and set the stage for further exploration beyond his home country.

Represented by ANKHART, Xiumin Men has since participated in several notable art events, including:

• The Biennale des Beaux-Arts de Rambouillet in 2023,
• ART CAPITAL in Paris,
• The 120th Anniversary of the Salon d’Automne,
• And ART MUC in Munich in 2024.

These experiences highlight his commitment to sharing his art with diverse audiences and engaging with demanding and varied artistic communities.

An evolving artistic practice

While grounded in tradition, Xiumin Men’s work remains in constant evolution. His style, still developing, explores abstract notions such as cosmic energy and universal connections. Far from claiming perfection, his paintings express a sincere and humble quest for balance between nature and spirituality.

Through minimalistic textures and compositions, he invites viewers to reflect on their own connection to the universe. Though his impact remains modest for now, his thoughtful approach is beginning to resonate with those interested in contemporary Chinese art.

Xiumin Men and ANKHART: a promising partnership

With the support of ANKHART, Xiumin Men has found a platform to showcase his work and grow as an artist. This partnership offers him opportunities to explore new avenues and connect with other international creators. While his name is not yet widely recognized, his participation in various art events demonstrates potential that could fully bloom in the years ahead.

A promise for the future

Xiumin Men is an artist in the midst of exploration, continuously refining and enriching his craft. His works, blending tradition and modernity, offer a personal and introspective perspective on universal themes of harmony and spirituality. While much remains to be discovered and achieved, Xiumin Men exemplifies how drawing from traditional roots can pave the way toward a forward-looking vision.