Sylvie Poinsot

Paris, France

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ARTISTIC BIOGRAPHY

 

Born in France, Sylvie Poinsot has cultivated her sensitivity through theater workshops attended over many years and an intense lifelong focus on art exhibitions. In 1997, she studied life drawing under Jean Claude Athané—a sculptor and former student of Zadkine—before spending several years exploring charcoal and pastel, drawing from both live models and her imagination.

In 2006, she added painting to her repertoire, beginning an intense period of research through numerous expressionist portraits marked by strong emotional intensity. In 2008, she joined the studio of Yves Devaux-Veeska, founder of the "Peindre en liberté" (Painting in Freedom) foundation, who acted as a supportive guide during her exploration of painting throughout 2010.

A decisive turning point occurred in 2012 with the discovery of Louis Soutter's work. This aesthetic shock drew her toward Indian ink, a medium of pure gesture and immediacy. Years later, her perspective and practice were further enriched by two exhibitions of Chinese painters, Chu Teh-Chun and Zao Wou-ki, where she discovered the poetic power of lyrical abstraction, freeing color and form from figurative constraints.

Whether in her ink "interior portraits" or her abstract canvases, her approach remains the same: exploring the invisible and translating the movements of the anima. Her work is an invitation to cross the threshold of appearance to reach a deeper truth where line and matter become interpreters of the soul.

Parallel to her visual arts, she participates in writing workshops. Her first collective collection of texts, Portraits croisés, centered on several of her paintings, was released in September 2014. A second collection, À la volée, followed in July 2015. Finally, a short story titled Parenthèse : éclairage sur une folie ordinaire was published by Éditions de l'Harmattan in September 2016.

In 2016, a major shift occurred as Sylvie Poinsot, after navigating the many meanders of figuration and semi-figuration, chose to explore a new artistic niche: lyrical abstraction.

 

 

 

ARTISTIC BACKGROUND AND APPROACH

 

FIRST PERIOD: 1996–2015 – Expressionist Figuration Coming from the world of theater, Sylvie Poinsot has not abandoned her roots; instead, she has transposed theatrical elements and visual arts into a passionate fusion, which is a true profession of faith. Characters and masks are central to her work; faces sketched in bold, feverish strokes of vibrant color. It is an expressionism entirely guided by inner visions.

According to critic Martine Bouchard-Chroniquart (Quebec, 2012), one perceives in her work the same "arterial bubbling," the same uncompromising directness, and the "fury to paint" found in Basquiat. In Poinsot’s work, there are no distractions or invasive pictorial environments; the spotlight is focused solely on the subject, stripping them down to their existential vulnerability. The artist works with oil and acrylic on canvas, as well as soft pastel and ink on paper, offering deeply personal and candid work. While her acrylics use a wide and exuberant palette, her pastels are created with a few sure lines that suggest dense expressive quality. The gaze is particularly important in her work, making the souls of her subjects vibrate.

SECOND PERIOD: Since 2016 – A New Creative Avenue: Lyrical Abstraction After navigating the many meanders of figuration, Poinsot has found her stride in this new "creative path," as she calls it. Her movements are now supple and pure, no longer seeking to attach themselves to realistic projections. Her legendary sensitivity reinforces the indelible link between the artist and her medium. A luminous spontaneity is supported by a new palette of pure, primary, and primitive colors, revealing her passion for "total-art". She demonstrates an ability to harmonize the "dissident harmonies" of pure expressionism—the eternal duality between heart and reason.

 

 

AWARDS

 

  • 2025: Ambassador of Mediterranean Art Prize (Ambasciatore dell'Arte del Mediterraneo), organized by the Alessandro Costanza Foundation – Carini Castle, Palermo (Italy).
  • 2019: Oscar of Creativity (Oscar della creatività), Art-Expo Gallery, Hôtel de Paris, Monte Carlo.
  • 2016: Leonardo da Vinci Prize, Florence (Italy).
  • 2014: Michelangelo Prize, Florence (Italy).

 

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

 

  • 2018 (May): "Envole lyrique", Painting/Indian Inks, Galerie Abel Gance, Paris.
  • 2011 (August): "Eloge du vivant", Painting, Galerie Arts et Société, Paris.
  • 2006 (October): "Essences de femmes", Painting/Pastel, Bar Galerie, Paris.
  • 2006 (March): Virtual exhibition on the theme of circus, Pastel, Site: ARTSCAD, Internet.
  • 2005 (July): "Italie", Pastel, Gallery, Vitorchiano.
  • 2005 (Jan-Feb): "Interrogations et ruptures", Pastel, Théâtre de la Main d'Or, Paris.
  • 2004–2007: "Italie", Pastel, Libreria dei Salici, Viterbo.
  • 2003 (April): "Fantasmagories", Pastel, Centre d'animation DAVIEL, Paris.
  • 2001 (April-May): "Corps de femmes", Pastel/Charcoal, Association Noues, Montreuil.

COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS

  • 2025 (October): Tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Rome, Italy.
  • 2025 (May): L'Ambasciatore dell'Arte Mediterraneo (Award), Contemporary Art, Carini Castle, Italy.
  • 2024 (May): L'Art en chemin, Group exhibition, Contemporary Art, Galerie Thuillier, Paris, France.
  • 2023 (May): L'Art en chemin, Group exhibition, Contemporary Art, Galerie Thuillier, Paris, France.
  • 2022 (June): Group exhibition, Contemporary Art, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan.
  • 2021 (August): Group exhibition, Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Japan.
  • 2021 (May): Group exhibition, Contemporary Art, Maru Art Center, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2019 (Sept): Monte Carlo Prize, Contemporary Art, Hôtel de Paris, Monte Carlo.
  • 2018 (March): Nations Biennial, Contemporary Art, Palazzo della Misericordia, Venice, Italy.
  • 2017 (Jul-Aug-Sept): Group exhibition, Contemporary Art, Galerie Mp Tresart, Durham-Sud, Quebec.
  • 2017 (Jan-June): Auction, Contemporary Art, Hôtel des ventes de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • 2016 (Sept-Dec): Auctions, Contemporary Art, Hôtel des ventes de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • 2016 (July): Luxembourg Art Prize, Contemporary Art, Galerie Hervé Lancelin, Luxembourg.
  • 2016 (January): Leonardo da Vinci Prize, Contemporary Art, Palace Borghese, Florence, Italy.
  • 2015 (February): Being Human, Contemporary Art, Studio 26, New York, U.S.A..
  • 2015 (Jan-March): Winter Sun (Soleil d'Hiver), Contemporary Art, Galerie Mp Tresart, Durham-Sud, Quebec.
  • 2014 (November): Auction, Contemporary Art, Rossini Auction House, Paris, France.
  • 2014 (April): Artexpo New York, Contemporary Art, Artifact Gallery, New York, U.S.A..
  • 2014 (March-April): Con i fiordi negli occhi. Tribute to Munch's Scream, Contemporary Art, Sea Museum, Genoa, Italy.
  • 2014 (January): Rome Biennial, Contemporary Art, Sale del Bramante, Rome, Italy.
  • 2014 (January): Premio Michelangelo, Contemporary Art, Gadarte Gallery, Florence, Italy.
  • 2013 (November): Selection for Rome Biennial 2014, Contemporary Art, Galerie Il Collezionista, Rome, Italy.
  • 2013 (November): Les Hivernales, Contemporary Art, Palais des Congrès, Montreuil, France.
  • 2013 (October): Nel Segno della figurazione, Contemporary Art, IL TEMPIO Gallery, Palermo, Italy.
  • 2013 (August): VACANZE ROMANE, Contemporary Art, Coronari111 Art Gallery, Rome, Italy.
  • 2013 (July): LOOK AT ME, Contemporary Art, Coronari111 Art Gallery, Rome, Italy.
  • 2013 (January): 1st International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Palermo, Contemporary Art, EA EDITORE, Palermo, Italy.

 

 

REVIEWS AND CONTEMPORARY ART BOOKS

 

  • 2016:
    • Catalogue of the 1st International Leonardo da Vinci Prize, organized by Salvatore Russo and Francesco-Saverio Russo - Jan 29, 2016, Florence.
    • Art International Contemporary Magazine, directed by Salvatore Russo - Jan/Feb 2016.
  • 2015:
    • Monograph 2015 Progetto arte by art critic Alessandro Costanza.
  • 2014:
    • EFFETTO ARTE - Portrait for great Arts masters, Sept/Oct 2014: Art review directed by Paolo Levi.
    • Protagonisti dell'arte: Art book from the 19th century to the present. June 2014 - EA Editore-Palermo.
    • Artisti Internazionali all'Artexpo di New York: Contemporary art catalogue - Artexpo New York - April 2014.
    • The New Collector Book 2014 by Tchera Niyego and Basak Malone - USA.
  • 2013:
    • OVER ART magazine - Premio Michelangelo, Sept/Oct 2013.
    • EFFETTO ARTE - Nello segno della figurazione, Sept/Oct 2013.
    • I SEGNALATI, international contemporary art catalogue by Salvatore Russo, May 2013. EA Editore-Palermo.
  • 2012:
    • Le Contre-Annuaire Volume 1 - 11-13 Editions, Paris.

 

 

ARTIST BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS

 

  • 2016: "Parenthèse - Éclairage sur une folie ordinaire": Short story, Éditions l'Harmattan, Paris.
  • 2015: "À la volée": Collection of short texts, Éditions l'ATRT, Paris.
  • 2014: "Portraits croisés" - Éclats de lire collection - ATRT-Paris writing workshop (Texts and paintings), Éditions l'ATRT, Paris.
  • 2006: "Dialogue avec la modèle" (Pastels and texts) - Artist book.
  • 2005: "Interrogations et ruptures" (Pastels and texts) - Artist book.

 

 

EDUCATION AND WORKSHOPS

 

  • 2020: Painting course, live model portrait, at Atelier Terre et Feu, Paris.
  • 2016–2017: Life drawing course - Ateliers de la Miroiterie - Paris with Jean Claude Athan.
  • 2006–2015: Writing workshop with Christine Tristan at ATRT - Paris 13.
  • 2010–2011: Yves Devaux-Veeska Workshop.
  • 2008: Life drawing course - Ateliers de la Miroiterie Paris with Jean Claude Athan; Yves Devaux-Veeska Workshop, creator of the "Peindre en liberté" foundation.
  • 1997–1998: Life drawing course - Ateliers N. Poussin - Paris with Jean Claude Athané, former student of Zadkine.

 

 CRITICAL TEXTS

 

Arch. Barbara Righetti – “Tribute to St. Francis” – Basilica of St. Peter and Paul – Rome-EUR – October 4–12, 2025 "In this work, the artist represents something mystical and unreal, an enveloping and very delicate atmosphere. The tones and color timbres range from autumn browns to intense greens and light blues. The light is very well handled and balanced with nuances. Excellent craftsmanship."

Elena Gradini – “Tribute to St. Francis” – Basilica of St. Peter and Paul – Rome-EUR – October 4–12, 2025 "In this work with strongly spiritual colors, one perceives a sense of evanescence that refers to the greatness of God. Almost a representation of an 'elsewhere,' a paradise of peace desired but still distant, the work transports us with its colors into a vast universe of faith."

Technical Commission – President Dr. Alessandro Costanza – Caltanissetta, Sicily – May 24, 2025 "International artist Sylvie Poinsot expresses a constant search for the most intense expression of her inner emotions. Forms and colors almost melt and blend with the background to give life to masterpieces with a touch and style that is completely unique and original. Analyzing her works, it is possible to decipher an inner pain mixed with moments of strong emotion that the viewer perceives when pausing before each work. The mastery of the creative ensemble, which makes each of her paintings exceptional from every point of view, is worthy of great note."

Martine Bouchard-Chroniquart (Quebec) – 2022 "Sylvie Poinsot’s work testifies to the strength and exuberant complicity between her artistic soul and the gestures of her own deliverance. Her lyrical flights are more permeable than in the past and consolidate with confidence the long journey toward her personal harmonies. The maturity of her works speaks for itself. They impact and explode, but they also suggest, with subtlety, entirely new areas of softness. Sylvie Poinsot's artistic quest, undertaken many years ago, has become a fortress, solidly anchored in her storms. Black and white paintings bring a new, revalued expressionist light compared to the chromatic debauchery of her previous work. The palette of grays reveals more silent, underground feelings; extremely moving. Like deeply buried roots suddenly exposed to view through the native soil of her thoughts. It is a wonder. A quite surprising calm in this creator with such fiery emotions, which contrasts with the explosive works that have made us throb since the very beginning of her career. The artist has not finished telling her story and surprising us... for there is no doubt: the tone is set for the pursuit of an intangible expressionism by this adventurer of the inexhaustible. The intoxication of being and creating infinitely... in short, of simply living. The only way to rise and vibrate known and recognized by this whole woman, extremely gifted for the absolute. With conviction and relentless determination."

Oxana Albot, Monte Carlo Prize – September 2019 "The artist gives us the task of investigating semi-visible profiles traceable in the diaphragm that separates the abstract from the figurative. Her task is not a mere reduction to a message; it is the transmission of an eloquent gesture: overcome appearances and the echo of illusion and go find your truth. Face to face with the work, we discover that the art of Sylvie Poinsot and Pure Beauty are synonyms."

  1. EDITORE – Nations Biennial – March 16–19, 2018 – Venice "To the wise interpretation of art, your creativity, a perfect combination of harmony and light, your ability to capture the sensitivity of the soul."

Sandro Serradifalco – September 2014 "The dynamic background made of a mix of soft colors, contrasts with the chromatic choice used for the face of the subject; a painting full of meaning, a painting that wants to shout out something through the expression in stops and starts sad and lost and in stops and starts euphoric and galvanized. An informal artwork characterized by the unique touch of the artist."

Paolo Levi – Italian Art Critic – August 2014 "A disturbing work, which connects to the expressionist painting of the German twentieth century, in particular to that of Emil Nolde. But this painter goes further, revealing a poetic vein that is exalted in the strong sign and chromatic contrasts."

Salvatore Russo – Italian Art Critic – April 2014 "Sylvie Poinsot works on a truly expressive painting. In portrayed characters' eyes we can read their souls. A colored soul in search of the lost happiness. The colors she uses gave her the nickname of 'the painter of light.' A light that dominates the darkness becoming the mouthpiece of real feelings. A language that is not linked to hyperrealism but to the communication that decodifies correctly human actions."

Adelinda Allegretti – March 2014 "Before reaching the exhibition's turning point, where drama slowly tones down, winning a few smiles out of the visitor, one must mention Sylvie Poinsot’s Untitled (2011). Here is a face that appears to melt under the weight of existence, the mouth reduced to a grimace. Only the eyes maintain a cold lucidity. This is the portrait of the awareness of the drama of human existence."

Salvatore Russo – Italian Art Critic – May 2013 "Faces that become the most faithful testimony of human thoughts. Faces that confess their truths. Faces that have the same evocative power as Munch's The Scream. The artist in her works pays great attention to the facial mimicry of her figures as the expression of what the subject thinks at that moment. Feelings and emotions. The face becomes a sort of autobiographical diary. The technique used is very singular. There is no hyperrealism and figures have blurred and intentionally undefined outlines to give more importance to the concept itself. The color in all the works is decidedly extraordinary, going beyond the common way of seeing things."

Martine Bouchard-Chroniquart (Quebec) – 2012 "Sylvie Poinsot is an expressionist artist of the new generation. She expresses herself with complete freedom through painting, ink on paper, and soft pastel. The only laws the artist obeys are those of spontaneity and the absolute in the creation process. The artist paints characters alone on stage, pinned under the spotlight of her mind, enhanced by a wide palette of vibrant and contrasting colors. In all simplicity, the artist reveals herself at the same time as her subjects. Her works are composed with much movement and broad, energetic impulses. Bold and opaque colors oppose and overlap in an intoxicating and haunting chromatic fresco. Uncompromising art, an absolutist and whole nature. The artist's pastels deliver fewer details than her acrylics. From a few lines, the artist draws maximum intensity and luminosity about her subjects. Characters with gazes charged with her own emotions and inner worlds. A production of powerful and unique works. Beautiful canvases to discover and share. Art both simple and complex at once. Sylvie Poinsot, a name to remember."