From marine horizons to the lights of the South, Claire Furic sculpts and paints joy… to discover in Bagnols-sur-Cèze

Un cerisier de Saint-Pons-la-Calm, où Claire Furic vit et crée, lui a inspiré cette œuvre. Midi Libre – C. C.

Claire Furic is exhibiting for the first time at Bise’ Arts, in Bagnols, until September 28. She has been a set designer and prop master for cinema and live shows, and has been creating, painting and sculpting for thirty-five years in her studio in Saint-Pons-la-Calm.

It's in her DNA. Creating, painting, sculpting. Claire Vincent Furic grew up surrounded by the waters, between Brittany and Marseille, in a family of sailors, always close to inspiring horizons that stimulate the imagination. She joined the Beaux-Arts in Montpellier, then trained in the arts and crafts (in Cholet and Nantes), costume and set section. She landed in Saint-Pons-la-Calm thirty-five years ago where she flourished in her workshop. In her life, there is an episode as a librarian, she maintains a close connection to books. She has rubbed shoulders with big names in live performance. “My world is the sets of shows and movies. I was a decorator, a prop master. It taught me so much and allowed me to gain confidence."

A host of colors… to offer happiness

Claire Furic is exhibiting for the first time at Bise’Arts, rue de l’Horloge. She has known Anne Gabella, the manager of "this Ali Baba's cave", since the fine arts supplies store opened. “I owe a lot to Anne for the encounter with other artists.” Her specialty, bronze sculpture, large formats. In this exhibition, entitled “It looks like the South”, she shares paintings, scenes of life or encounters with the powerful beauty of nature. “There, it is a branch of cherry tree from Saint-Pons-la-Calm.” This countryside, the Ventoux, “that I see from my house”, these seasons with such contrasting lights, are her greatest source of inspiration.” This array of colors, it's me, it's joy!" So with this joy and these colors, she hopes "to offer happiness". Claire Furic plays in her works, the attentive eye will discover a story within the story. “There, there are irises, and bottles in the sea.” In these bottles, other horizons…“Painting is writing, with words of one's own.” She writes with pigments, ochres, earth, sand, gold leaf… Claire Furic sculpts her paintings, the material gives life. She also masters the art of setting, which she uses in her paintings.

The sequel in Aix-en-Provence

Claire Furic learned a lot by working with circus artists, from the equestrian world… “They brought me so much through their rigor and daily commitment.” She conceives an exhibition as a show, “you are alone, in the studio, and suddenly, it emerges. I make the paintings respond to each other”. “A little baroque air, a scent of the Mediterranean, a refined touch, a very singular work, which smiles at me” a visitor writes to her.
In November, another adventure awaits her: a hundred works (a truckload!) will be transferred to Aix-en-Provence. She has exhibited in a gallery, Les Amis des arts, cours Mirabeau, every year for fifteen years. This gives her great visibility and many encounters. This daughter and sister of sailors has a big dream: to become a marine painter.
“When you have passion, you get up every day on the right foot”, sailor !

Exhibition “On dirait le Sud” at  Bise’ Arts, rue de l’Horloge in Bagnols, until September 28. I subscribe to read the rest