Franz Kohler

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Born in 1940, Franz Kohler travelled a lot and he immersed in exotic ambiances which lit up his artwork.

Fascinated by the timeless shapes discovered in nature, he will never chose between an abstract and a figurative approach.

Considering that the first question is generated permanently, the second one illustrates and describes a universe that Kohler knows very well from his education in science.

In fact, the artist is interested in many subjects; this is why it is not surprising to find him as researcher in a Natural History Museum or as a passionate student in drawing courses of La « Grande Chaumière ».

The artist usually uses China ink or acrylic ink and sometimes pastels. We can also discover collages.

His favourite framework remains the “Canson” paper and occasionally the canvas. Rarely, lines or strokes appear (contrary of the blurred effects of breaks or ranges).

Vibrating between tear and “Tachism”, the colour emerges: intense or softened, sparkling or darkened.

Figurative works coincide with abstract artwork by using similar colours or tones.

Red vermillion, blue in all its nuances, and grey are ever present in a constantly updated pallet.

We enter into a journey of colour and shapes where seashells or realistic minerals appear, and then, we find abstract combinations.

With a mixture of mystery and of silence we can discover a universe which is completely outside any temporal concept.

Without trying to seduce, but rather aiming to create and innovate, the artist explores and seeks beyond reality, of visible or of immediate; through this, the approach reveals a spiritual preoccupation.

Through the artworks, the painters’ steps lead us to the exploration of different facets of humanity to research from itself, of its darkened dimensions…until getting to the divine part.

Being an intense and passionate observer of the world around him and a collector of elusive work, the creation of this work will always generate emotion and questioning.

Curiously, Franz Kohler was interested in all ways of artistic expressions including primitive arts for which he had a particular interest.

Fulfilled by an interior demand (creating pulse and ardour), leading to the remarkable anticipated results which, however, were never good enough according to him.

A great work that makes us regret (without any doubt) to have not met its creator who left us in 2006, but whose work remains more present than ever.

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Jules Saint-Aubin - Art Critic.