An Unprecedented and Rich Retrospective

Gathering over 200 drawings, along with paintings, sculptures, and installations—most of which have never been exhibited before—the show will unfold throughout the museum, creating an intimate dialogue with the permanent collection, taxidermy, and the grand decor of the 18th-century townhouse that houses the institution.

Numerous poetic and whimsical surprises—typical of the museum’s style—will punctuate the visitor’s journey, from a boar in a tutu here to a crowned panther there. For this major retrospective, the temporary exhibition room will be adorned with exclusive wallpaper designed by the renowned house of Pierre Frey, based on a drawing by the artist.

Edi Dubien, a self-taught French artist born in 1963, is known for his works of profound poetry and moving humanity, exploring themes of identity, childhood, and the relationship between humans and nature. His works portray humans with melancholic expressions, often adorned animals, and plants engaged in relationships of exchange, cooperation, transformation, and, certainly, consolation.

The Child, a Central Figure

The figure of the child appears continuously in Edi Dubien's work. “Obviously, it’s central; it’s also about the man who emerges from chaos,” he explains, offering this as a key to his own biography. Portraits dominate his work, where, like self-portraits, the artist both hides and reveals himself, candidly sharing the story of a child who had to make peace with his past.

Human Fragility and Resilience

The vulnerability of childhood and adolescence is a key theme for Edi Dubien. His figures, often young and androgynous, embody purity and delicacy, representing those who, despite uncertainty, move forward in pursuit of life. His work becomes an allegory of resilience, essential to overcome life’s challenges and find one's place in the world.

Rebirth Through Nature

Nature plays a fundamental symbolic role. Animals, plants, and landscapes convey emotional and metaphorical states of the human condition. A profound, instinctive, and sincere connection reflects the beauty and complexity of existence.

In watercolor, ink, and pencil, Dubien seals a reconciliation between species, between humanity and nature.

Between fiction and reality, this protective—and transformative—nature, like that found in fairy tales such as *Sleeping Beauty* or *Donkeyskin*, alludes to Edi Dubien’s own childhood and the garden of his grandmother in the Massif Central, a sole haven of peace and comfort in a childhood marked by violence.

Exhibition Curator: Rémy Provendier-Commenne, Head of Collections at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

With support from the Galerie Alain Gutharc

Photos: © Edi Dubien, ADAGP, Paris, 2024 / Photo: © Aurélien Mole