Pointes de diamants. 1983. Acrylique sur toile. 100×73 cm
Photo: Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL. Fonds Alberto Sartoris

Article d’Alberto Sartoris in FUTURISMO-OGGI. Anno XVI . Luglio- Agosto 1984

The Paintings of Jak Vautherin. The avant-garde and the contemporary.

It is surprising to see a revival of the early European avant-garde, without the slightest hint of nostalgia or reworking, in the paintings of Jak Vautherin. His geometric language could be associated with Delaunay, Futurism, Constructivism or Op Art, but is based purely on contemporary themes.

His conception of space is one of them. The apparent two-dimensionality is challenged by elements which discreetly introduce a subtle third dimension. As the eye passes over the flatness of the painting, it is surprised by unexpected doorways leading to new depths – sometimes using perspective, sometimes juxtaposition, sometimes by the careful use of colour.

This vital use of colour, risky and yet skilful, is one of the most original aspects of his work. Primary tones shimmer in their infinite gradation; black and white combine with electric greens and oranges taken from African motifs (Vautherin is a great connoisseur of the Sahel, where he has worked as an architect). The vibrant colours of mobile or tablet screens are not so far from his chromatic world.

His composition, ordered and at the same time chaotic, once again reflects contemporary reality. In a world shaped by the power of unreason, the naïve faith of the rationalist avant-garde is challenged by the uncertainties that pervade our times. In his definitive style of painting, the glowing embers of the avant-garde movement are fanned by the howling winds of today.

Juan Leo Gago. Séville, janvier 2023

«Le talent de Jak de fusionner les origines des cultures Africaines avec l’avant garde et la modernité, m’a toujours émerveillé.
Quand je le connus, il nous apprit à construire une coupole avec une toile imprégnée de plâtre, à créer une grille d’entrée merveilleuse avec un tas de ferraille rouillée…Je l’ai vu utiliser de la terre et de l’eau pour fabriquer des briques avec lesquelles lui et ses équipes de maçons construiront par la suite une université…ou dessiner dans le sable une fleur qu’il convertira en plan du futur musée de la musique du Burkina Faso. De sa tête il sortait comme un magicien, non pas des lapins, mais des visions révolutionnaires, presque hallucinantes, basées sur la connaissance et l’audace pour une nouvelle modernité.»

Manuel Bañó Hernandez.

Doctor en Bellas Artes. Universidad Cardenal Herrera. Valencia

Purchasing paintings and others artworks , please contact me by e-mail.
vautherinjacques@gmail.com