Monique Orsini

1937, France

Painter

"Painting is essential to me, just like breathing." 

FROM SWEDEN TO PARIS

From an early age, Monique Orsini becomes fascinated with art. Her introduction to painting comes from her parents; two teachers who enjoy painting in their spare time. As the years go by, she participates in several artistic projects and chooses to become a teacher herself, naturally teaching her greatest passion: art. 

Orsini eagerly takes part in the artistic circles of Paris, where she forms many friendships that later prove to play an important role in her career. These friends and colleagues such as Bram van Velde, Karel Appel and Pierre Soulages to name a few, serve both as a source of great inspiration and mentorship. However, one of Orsini's friendships in particular has a far greater and more lasting significance. Swedish artist Bengt Lindström soon takes on the role as her teacher and artistic mentor. 

Together, they collaborate on several joint exhibitions. Lindström’s support and inspiration is clearly visible in Orsini’s artworks, despite their very different cultural backgrounds. It is precisely this difference, which inspires each their take on nature, serving as a common primary source of inspiration.

A SENSUAL NATURE

Monique Orsini’s approach to painting is intimate, sensual and very personal. She finds her main motifs in nature, the unruly movements of the wind, cloud formations, and water that flows and overruns the abstract landscapes that Orsini creates with her paint and brush. The temperamental and impulsive forces of nature inspire her. Only gravity has a sense of power over nature and the impulsive aspect is seen in her brushstrokes, which are curved and created with the entire movement of her body. 

Orsini adds something delicate and feminine to Expressionism. Her use of color and their multitude of possible compositions combine to form the chaotic wilderness, transformed into a balanced artistic mode of expression. Her artworks are full of dynamic movement. They have a slightly graphic appearance, combined with an organic feel. One can easily imagine Orsini’s working process, being in total control of the large brushstrokes. 

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