Il ment jamais 2002

This is a painting by Francois Arnal, and the title translates as 'He Never Lies'. The splashy, gestural marks were made with pigment suspended in a liquid medium, likely watercolor or ink, applied with brushes and perhaps other tools. The fluidity of the paint allows for expressive drips and splatters, creating a sense of spontaneity and immediacy. Arnal's technique involves a blend of control and chance, reflecting the ethos of abstract expressionism, a movement that sought to convey raw emotion and the subconscious through non-representational forms. The apparent lack of traditional skill is a kind of anti-skill. Arnal seems to be almost playfully undermining the tradition of painting. By celebrating the messy materiality of paint itself, Arnal challenges the conventional hierarchy between fine art and craft. Instead, he offers us a glimpse into the unscripted, process-oriented nature of creative expression.