Ben Arpéa: Artworks at Grand Palais

193 Gallery takes part in the latest edition of Art Paris, held under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, with a solo presentation of French artist Ben Arpéa.

Based in Paris, Arpéa emerged in 2020 with a series of paintings built on geometric abstraction. Since then, his work has moved toward a semi-figurative language, where recognizable elements appear but remain reduced to essential forms. His compositions are structured and direct, often relying on flat areas of color and simple shapes. At first glance, the works seem minimal, but they reveal a more complex surface and construction on closer view.

Color, Material, and Influence

Travel plays an important role in Arpéa’s work. Many of his images originate from brief, observed moments that are later simplified and reconstructed in the studio. The Mediterranean is a recurring reference, not as a literal subject but as a source of light, color, and atmosphere. This influence appears in the palette – warm tones, strong contrasts, and balanced compositions that suggest outdoor spaces, interiors, or transitional scenes without fully defining them.

Color is central to his practice. Large areas of vivid tones dominate the canvas, but they are never flat in a purely graphic sense. Arpéa works with textured surfaces, often mixing paint with materials such as sand or mineral elements. He uses jute or linen canvases, which he prepares himself, allowing the surface to absorb the pigment unevenly. This process gives the paintings a tactile quality, where the material remains visible and active.

Arpéa’s approach combines a controlled composition with a physical method of production. The clarity of the image contrasts with the irregularity of the surface. This tension between precision and material presence defines much of the work.

Contemporary Perception

References to modern and contemporary art are present but not explicit. Arpéa draws from artists such as Tom Wesselmann, David Hockney, Jonas Wood, and André Breton. These influences can be seen in the use of color, simplified forms, and the relationship between abstraction and representation. At the same time, his work aligns with a broader generation of artists working across art, design, and fashion, where visual impact and material experimentation are closely connected.

Human presence in Arpéa’s paintings is indirect. Figures are generally absent, but their trace remains. Interiors, objects, or fragments of space suggest that someone has been there. This absence creates a sense of pause, as if the scene exists between two moments. The works do not tell a clear story, but they maintain a subtle narrative potential.

There is also a link to contemporary image culture. The compositions are clear and easily readable, yet they resist quick consumption. Instead of functioning as immediate images, they require time to register. The surface, the texture, and the balance of elements slow down the viewing process.

At Art Paris, 193 Gallery presents a concise overview of Arpéa’s current practice. The booth operates as a controlled space within the larger fair, where the focus remains on material, color, and structure.

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Gain a deeper insight of Ben Arpéa’s works here.

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