Jean-Marie Bottequin

Jean-Marie Bottequin’s theme encompasses the human struggle for survival, the pursuit of transcendence and the connection to the ominous. In particular, he shows images of women in their role as creators, conceivers, bearers, givers and lovers, but also as beings who take and bring death. He has a special talent for staged depictions of human themes. His work is thought-provoking and never lets go – that’s what makes good art! It may often appear alienated or abstract, but behind every single photograph there is a deep thought or even a disturbing emotion. The viewer is invited to become part of the search for humanity – and to engage in this search. It has often been emphasized that Jean-Marie Bottequin, as an exceptional and non-conformist artist, shows extremely vivid exhibits – which are a mixture of painting and pure photography. His images of women seem to grow out of the silver nitrate photographic paper or canvas and captivate the viewer – as an expression of the infinite longing for the universe. His photographic female figures show different stages of the life cycle – depicted as “sculptural” beings, as if no longer of this world. His theme of creation – also a TABU theme – touches and captivates us. With his message, he manages to make the nude female figures in stone and wood appear to be in an eternal sleep. He uses a variety of natural materials in his body paintings and the results are always spiritual statements. His strong sense of symbolism is influenced by works of antiquity such as Ovid, Kafka, Erich Neumann, C.G. Jung. Since 1962, he has inspired international exhibitions with the depth of his sometimes disturbing photographic art. Hanna Gaugler, Psychological Psychotherapist, writer, June 2024