Pascal Duval, Wildflower

"As a creative I have always seen myself as a chameleon - I could adapt to certain identities, surroundings, and styles. I would cling on to the words of others and work towards what these others would like. But as an artist I search for a certain freedom to grow into any direction and to not be contained by someone or something. 

To me ‘Wildflower’ is that personal escape from what others think or what I think that others might think. At the same time it is about creating work that flows freely without restrictions. An image without a defined narrative, just there to be taken in and interpreted by others without that scaring me.

That is part of the journey at the moment. I start and let it come without a clear story or sketch before the brush hits the canvas. A constant play between memories, fantasies, dreams and fears. Shifting from recognisable icons, motifs, patterns and shapes to just let the material do the talking, adding elements, taking them away and adding them again.

And even now Wildflower is becoming tangible as a show it is probably the endless pursuit to be that wildflower that drives me."

Poolside Breakfast

"This piece sums it all up so perfectly, it’s titled ‘Poolside Breakfast'. To me it says, fresh flowers, strawberries, spring sun, a couple of freshly baked croissants and some lovely but weird Japanese Jazz music in the background.

What I love about the work of Pascal Duval and especially this piece, is that it’s so convincing. The perfect mix of figurative and abstract forms that all lead to the same story. Without even knowing exactly what you see, you still feel the energy of a Sunday Morning in Spring and you hear the experimental music in the background. Also look at all the different brush strokes, patterns and colour use, there’s so much variety, yet it all combines into one visual language.

This is a painting with conviction, by a great painter who has no doubt when painting. Every stroke is right, strong lines, forms and textures. No doubt a quick painting but definitely not rushed. The difference in strokes, the variety of textures and levels of transparency, but also the use of whitespace, is what makes this piece a breakthrough piece for Duval. His work was already really good, but it just gets better and better. And it goes so fast as well, Duval is a quick learner."