Philippe Caron

Lefebvre

‍

Philippe Caron Lefebvre’s collages masterfully balance chaos and order, where fragmented images of organic and synthetic forms collide. Through geometric cut-outs and sharp patterns, he amplifies the tension between these opposing forces. His vibrant yet nuanced color palettes underscore the contrast between natural and artificial environments. Lefebvre’s work invites contemplation on our material culture and the precarious balance between creation and destruction that defines our relationship with the world around us.

‍

Collage serves as a direct expression of my psyche, reflecting my influences, relevance, and aesthetic preferences. Each piece functions as a dream journal, addressing emotions and narratives, both real and fictional, akin to an almost-movie-trailer and a working palette for my installations and sculptures. My introduction to collage came through artist friends, during convivial gatherings where we'd flip through magazines, engage in conversations, and wield cutter knives.

‍

I make images that reflect dualities, human and nature, order and chaos, pleasure and pain, creation and destruction. In a broad sense, my body of work is about speculation, material culture and our relation with the environment. When creating my collages, I employ a laser-cut cardboard grid as a framing device, while utilizing colored gelatin filters to establish specific tones. I also explore creative ways to manipulate the interplay between visible and hidden elements within the composition.

‍

‍

I incorporate classic National Geographic and nature images, as well as pages from books on various crafts and sculptural practices, including ceramics, textiles, and glassmaking, as well as old art magazines. I'm also drawn to furniture and kitchen catalogues for their commercial and ideal perspectives. Finally, fashion magazines prove indispensable for their practical examples of texture and color usage.

‍

‍

With a fascination for the natural world, Philippe Caron Lefebvre (b. 1986, Canada) is interested in the translation of natural phenomena into the art-making praxis, embodying a logic of constant metamorphosis. Thriving on offering a physical and visual experience for the viewer, he wants to create sensations through a dedicated material experience. Like a moth attracted to a light bulb. His images and objects can provoke feelings of fear and disgust but also be empowering and seductive, portraying forms of paradoxical forces. In order to explore this tension, the artist has sourced his influence in the science-fiction genre. This genre offers possibilities around a critical viewing of the social, ideological, technological and ecological challenges.

Website | Instagram

‍