The works of two French painters, Florence Reto and Valerie Honnart, are presented in this exhibition.

Florence Reto’s work shows a French woman’s exploration of a rare symbolism, and her fascination with the objects, colors, natural elements, and figures of a culture which she never ceases to explore.

Born in Paris in 1961, Florence Reto studied Art and Communications at ENAEC (Ecole National d’Art en Environnement et Communication) before working in editing and communications for press groups and advertising agencies such as Marie Claire, Photo Reporter, BBDO, Havas and Euro RSCG.

Born in 1966,Valerie Honnart has traveled extensively in China and has lived in Hong Kong and Rome. She has studied Chinese Painting at the Chinese University in Hong Kong and engraving, afrescoes and antique techniques at the Institute of Fine Arts in Rome. Her inspiration is the result of these cross-cultural influences. She has a Diploma from the Institute of Political Sciences in Paris and a Masters in Communication at the ESCP in Paris.

“The Art of Valerie Honnart can only be understood in light of the cross cultural influences she has found far from her own country: in China and in Italy.

She is fascinated by China’s landscapes, martial arts, art of breathing, use of inks, and sense of the long preparation of the elements constituting an opera. From Italy, she keeps the sense of sensuality of body in motion and of illumination through and in light. As a consequence she paints the body as a landscape, faraway or close up”

- Claude Mollard