Eric Dizambourg

Greffe sur patte

Eric Dizambourg has elaborated a series of large animal paintings, classical genre scenes composed of dreary and earthy colors, illustrating the sobriety of the pastoral world. Like the film Le Mouton noir, this painting, Greffe sure patte is counterbalanced by a burlesque element. The piece of fabric on the rat’s paw or ‘graft’ becomes a patchwork made out of colorful geometric shapes recalling a Harlequin costume, thus referring directly to the burlesque tradition. This leitmotiv creates a contrast with the dull colors, the humility of the countryside, and makes the figurative scene look unreal to reveal its superficiality. The stiff character seems to be in a procession, while the introduction of the burlesque element transforms it into a carnival. The achievement of the picture occurs in two parts: first the painting of a figurative scene by the artist, and then the moment where the scene becomes absurd.