Symbolism

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Euphoria and Suffering II. 2016. Oil on canvas. 81 in. x 83 in.

I like to use symbolic images to express my struggles, or more generally, those of society. Euphoria and Suffering I & II, is depicting the id, my desires, and how I was perceiving aggressiveness negatively. The painting expresses my Joy, of course, and the beauty of women and nature.

An ecstatic diver appears in Euphoria and Suffering II oil on canvas, her body framed against a background of blue sky interspersed with soft, white clouds. Her dancer’s limbs are organized, symmetrical. Her back is arched, her head is thrown back. Another shark figures in this picture is menacing, the sharp tip of its nose aimed at the diving woman, its mouth open, hungry…

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Euphoria and Suffering I. 2016. Oil on canvas. 83 in. x 81 in.

In Euphoria and Suffering I, oil on canvas, 83” x 81” a woman in a crimson dress leap through the air, her legs folded towards her back, her arms raised towards the sky. She smiles, conveying a feeling of victorious joy. On the left side of the painting, a man catapults through space. A shark moves from the left in the direction of the woman.

Euphoria and Suffering I, (Detailed close-up)

Euphoria and Suffering I, (Detailed close-up)

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Joy and the Fear of the Unknown IX. 2018. Oil on canvas. 81 in. x 83 in.

Joy and the fear of the Unknown I, III and IX , are paintings that are talking about taking the leap when an opportunity occurs. So often, I doubt myself when a challenging opportunity occurs, especially when I want to go to the next chapter in my life or bring a project to the next level. 

Because of fear, I put myself into waiting mode and I miss the opportunity! These paintings remind me that yes, it is scary! Though there is beauty in the action of doing something scary, even if I am not aware of it. These paintings help me to just do it!

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Joy and the Unknown I. 2018. Oil on canvas. 24 in. x 18 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Joy and the Unknown III. 2018. Oil on canvas. 24 in. x 18 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Euphoria. 2015. Oil on canvas. 24 in. x 18 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Couple tension I. 2015. Oil on canvas. 62 in. x 62 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Life. 2019. Charcoal, Acrylic & White Chalk on toned paper. 24 in. x 18 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Roman. 2019. Charcoal, Acrylic & White Chalk on paper. 24 in. x 18 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Desire III. 2016. Oil on plexiglass. 20.5 in. x 20 in.

Desire III (detailed close-up)

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Impossibility to Sleep Under Pressure. 2015. Oil on canvas. 58 in. x 72 in.

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Doppelgänger. 2016. Wax, polyester and wood. 19 in. tall.

This work is about a dream I had 20 years ago where while heading out of my father's room. I opened the doors and found this other me in front of me! He represented all the aspects of me that I was rejecting. I then felt threatened and entered a fight or flee mode towards myself!

Norbert, Jean-Antoine. Doppelgänger. 2016. Charcoal and white chalk on paper. 17 in. x 18 in.

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