DE NATURE FORTEMENT DOUTEUSE BY LÉOPOLD RABUS

The Steinhauser Gallery is honoured to present the very first exhibition in Slovakia of the esteemed Swiss artist Léopold Rabus, entitled De Nature fortement douteuse.

Léopold Rabus is a distinguished Swiss artist whose oil paintings embody a unique fusion of realism and surrealism, captivating audiences with their intricate narratives and bold imagery. Born and raised in the picturesque French-speaking canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, Rabus’s upbringing in a family of artists deeply influenced his creative journey, instilling in him an appreciation for the landscapes of the imagination. 

From an early age, he was immersed in an artistic environment, which fostered the development of a style that seamlessly integrates the tangible with the fantastical. His work often features a rich palette and meticulous attention to detail, engaging viewers through striking compositions that invite contemplation. Rabus has a remarkable ability to elevate everyday scenes – a woman leaning against a boat, a man engrossed in a solitary task-infusing them with a sense of mystery and otherworldliness.

His canvases are filled with imagery of birds, farm animals, and the natural world, creating a dreamlike reality that reflects the quietude of rural life while simultaneously probing deeper existential themes. Notably, parrots emerge as recurrent motifs in his art, symbolizing both the exotic and the familiar, inviting dialogue about language, freedom, and existence. There is indeed an element of mystery in this zoological exception. The parrot provides a gateway to the exotic, with its reminder of sea voyages. As a bird, the parrot also represents a form of freedom, a relationship with the sky, and therefore, in the Christian imagination, with spirituality. But the parrot is also a talking bird, likely to raise questions about the status of language. Because of its ability to speak, a parrot is always intriguing. From the outset, it presents an enigma, appearing as a somewhat hybrid animal, part human. The painter adds another form of hybridity or ambivalence. As a naturalised specimen, it blurs the distinctions between life and death, between the status of animal and that of object. And its connection to painting gives it a fictional dimension that acts as an excellent trigger for visitors‘ imaginations.

Rabus’s exploration maintains a grounded realism, drawing attention to subtle juxtapositions that provoke thought and evoke emotion. His work encourages viewers to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, challenging preconceived notions and inviting a reinterpretation of their surroundings.

In addition to his technical prowess, Rabus is recognized for his philosophical approach to art, wherein he navigates the complexities of human experience through his visual storytelling. Each piece serves as a portal into his imaginative world, where the familiar is transformed into the uncanny, and the line between dreams and reality blurs. 

Léopold Rabus stands as an important figure in contemporary art internationally, embodying a rich dialogue between tradition and innovation. His contributions to the art world resonate through his ability to capture the essence of life, inviting us to explore the layers of meaning and emotion embedded within his captivating works.

Martina Zátorská