French surrealist painter, sculptor and printmaker, Francois Boucheix was born in the small mountain village of Monts dโAuvergne in 1940. At age 15, following the death of his father, Boucheix headed to Paris to find work in the hotel business, although he never abandoned his passion for art and often painted late into the night after a full dayโs work. By age 17, Boucheix was studying with Jean de Rocca Serra. In 1960, he earned his first exhibition in Tunisia and shortly thereafter began to show in the south of France.
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His first important exhibition was in 1964, at the Sevres Gallery in Paris, where he went on to exhibit for several years alongside such internationally renowned artists as, Lebasque, Freiz and Marie Laurencin. During this time he met the Japanese-French master Foujita, who further encouraged him, and the two artists traded paintings with each other. He also met Salvador Dali, who praised his work, and both artists exhibited together in the show, โDali to Boucheix,โ which included works by the master historical painter, Meisonnier. This experienced convinced Boucheix to pursue a surrealist path in his imagery and also determined his choice to paint positive surrealistic imagery, as opposed to the more typically disturbing subjects often found in surrealist painting.
He went on to gain critical acceptance, with one prominent art writer from the newspaper, โlโAurore,โ claiming that with Boucheix, โโฆDali and Chagallโs successor had been found.โ In 2002, Boucheix celebrated his 42nd anniversary as an artist by introducing sculpture, which has since become an important part of his work.
Highlighted exhibitions include:
โข 1974 Matignon Galerie, Paris
โข 1975 Weill Galerie, Paris
โข 1976 Laurens Galerie, Paris
โข 1977 Retrospective exhibit, Grand Casino, Vichy
โข 1978-1989 Guigne Galerie, Faubourg St. Honore, Paris
โข 1989 Bernheim Galerie, Paris
โข 1989-1999 Hotel Georges V
Boucheix has exhibited internationally in Geneva, Zurich, Beirut, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Rome, Boston, Chicago, Peking, Brussels, Hamberg and numerous other locations.
His prizes include: Le prix Lutetia at the Severes Gallery, a Leonardo da Vinci Gold Medal and a Palette dโOr Award at the International Festival of Arts.
