FV 073 : Florence Metgé, a French artist...

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Florence Metgé is a French artist based in the South of France. Florence’s art is colourful and vibrant. She finds her inspiration in the complexity of human relationships and will share some examples in the episode. Living in Western Africa for many years has also influenced her style. Listen in to learn more about it, as well as the condition and challenges faces by contemporary African artists!

Episode Timeline

Part 1
An overview of Florence’s background
Westerners vs African people: hoe they react to art
Definition of Arts Plastiques

Part 2
Florence’s favourite theme
Favourite techniques
Image composition: an original angle

Part 3
Where in Africa did Florence travel/live
The influence of African art in Florence’s work
The condition of artists in Africa

Part 4
Calling for guests for French Voices!
From Florence’s art studio in France

Vocab List

aquarelle (nf) = watercolour
arts plastiques (nm) = fine arts
bifurquer = to change direction
croquis (nm) = sketch
étiqueter (quelqu’un) = to label (someone)
exposer = to exhibit
franchir le cap = [fig] to go past (sth), to get over (sth),
fusain (nm) = charcoal
gravure (nf) = engraving
huile (nf) = oil
labyrinthe (nm) = maze
mettre (quelqu’un) dans une case = to label, categorize (someone)
œuvre (nf) = work, artwork
percer = to make a breakthrough, to make it
rapports humains (nm) = human relationships
se consacrer à = to dedicate/to devote oneself to
se faire remarquer = to be noticed
silhouette (nf) = figure (shape)
tenir à cœur = to matter, to be important, to be a cause close to your heart
tenir compte de = to take into account
toile (nf) = canvas

Questions:

1. (part 1) Vrai ou faux? Le public français réagit avec plus de spontanéité devant les œuvres d’art tandis que le public africain a tendance à intellectualiser ce qu’il voit.
2. (part 2) What example illustrating the difficulty of communication between two individuals did Florence paint?
3. (part 2) Classez ces techniques dans l’ordre de préférence de Florence, de sa préférée a la moins aimée : L’aquarelle, l’huile, le fusain.
4. (part 3) Why is it challenging for African sculptors to adopt a more contemporary, creative style?

Answers:

1. Faux, c’est le contraire.1. Faux, c’est le contraire.
2. She painted a maze with two characters (seen from above). The characters are physically close, being only separated by a wall, but the actual distance for them to meet is far (they would have to walk through the maze)
3. L’huile, le fusain, l’aquarelle
4. Tradition and sacred art, the look of the statues as we know them tend to make it difficult to change style.

Links & Resources

• Florence Metgé’s website: http://www.florence-metge.fr

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