Clair-Obscur, the exhibition of Pierre & Gilles, at the MuMa in Le Havre

Inaugurated by Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France and former Mayor of Le Havre, the Clair-Obscur exhibition puts the spotlight on the very special work of Pierre & Gilles. Their basic training, one as painter, the other as photographer, was a perfect backdrop for the loving artistic complicity of this duo, incarnating since the beginning of the 80s, the art of the sophisticated portrait in a presentation orchestrated to enchant the world.

Pierre & Gilles, a Clair-Obscur exhibition in Le Havre

This couple, nourished by the cinema, has developped its own vision of pop culture, from the choice of the subject to the framing, including the selection of the model, make-up and stylism. After the shooting by Pierre, each photograph is subtly enhanced by painter Gilles, a native of Sainte-Adresse, a town near Le Havre, whose maritime universe has been a recurrent theme all along their career.

The artists painted actress Catherine Deneuve as the White Queen, then designed the album cover of Etienne Daho, La Notte, La Notte. © DR

In a combination of images mingling myths and mythologies, The Virgin and Child as well as Medusa are complementary on the walls of the museum. © DR

Artistic and media starization

At the André Malraux Museum of Modern Art in Le Havre, 100 works are showcased, most of them lent by private collectors who spotted their rising value very early on. Amongst the most well-known, you will recognize the idealized faces of stars who accepted to pose for posterity. Amanda Lear, Boy George, Zahia, Nina Hagen, Lilly Wood and The Prick, Catherine Deneuve or Etienne Daho figure amongst the most famous personalities. Canvases to discover as soon as possible before they depart for a world tour…

Revisited by Pierre & Gilles, Greek history buffs, Orestes is represented with very sensual shapes. © DR

It's singer Stromae, who has the honor of being represented in a beach cabin, typical of the Le Havre seashore. © DR