Between breath, gesture, and light, Tunisian calligrapher Lassaâd Metoui invites you to a poetic tête-à-tête in the brand new cocoon of the Icare Gallery.
Between breath, gesture, and light, Tunisian calligrapher Lassaâd Metoui invites you to a poetic tête-à-tête in the brand new cocoon of the Icare Gallery.
From September 26 to October 25, 2025, the newly opened Icare Gallery rolls out the red carpet for a master of curves and pigments.
On display: 14 monumental canvases (150 × 150 cm each, no less!) and 15 lithographs in limited edition. In other words, a privileged face-to-face with one of the most sought-after calligraphic artists of the moment.
According to the recent Art Price report, the "calligraphy and ink arts" segment grew by 12% on the global market in 2023, one more reason to lend an ear, and an eye, to this exhibition.
Born in Gabès and settled in France since the 1980s, Lassaâd Metoui grew up with the scent of jasmine and the dust of the desert. At a young age, he studied classical calligraphy with Tunisian masters before crossing the Mediterranean, sketchbook in hand. Today, his inks have won over the Centre Pompidou, the British Museum, and the Arab World Institute. Between exhibitions, he illustrates the works of Khalil Gibran, Amélie Nothomb, or Jacques Salomé. His recipe? A blend of academic rigor, openness to Western avant-garde, and an insatiable curiosity for philosophy.
In "The Figurative Sense," each painting is the portrait of a word: Metaphysics, Ukiyo, Intuition of Will... The artist dresses them in geometric shapes that would have pleased Klee or Kandinsky, slips in some floral patterns inherited from Maghrebi zelliges, then lets burst forth an almost primitive alphabet, akin to Berber tattoos.
The result: a script halfway between symbol and dream. David Foenkinos sees it as "a conversation between the earthly and the celestial." It's confirmed: the viewer finds themselves captivated, as if suspended between two breaths.
Recently, Lassaâd Metoui has been flirting with the blackest black: a pigment capable of absorbing 99% of light (a nod to the famous Vantablack popularized in 2014). On canvas, this luminous void acts as a revealer. White and golden strokes burst forth like comets, while deep blues appear liquid. "Light is absorbed to leave only the purity of shapes," he shares. This approach is in keeping with the great tradition of ink, from Japanese sumi-e to the broad expanses of Soulages, while also providing a novel sensory playground.
Located in the Coteaux district of Saint-Cloud, just steps away from the statue of Alberto Santos-Dumont, Icare Gallery opened its glass doors in 2024. Sophie and Bruno Fradin, formerly of design and advertising, champion a straightforward vision: to eternalize the present through works that uplift the soul.
Whether it's painting, ceramics, photography, or artist-designed furniture, anything goes as long as it stirs emotion. With Metoui, the duo marks their first major international "solo show".
A bold gamble, but one that has already paid off: according to the Foires & Galleries Association, monographic exhibitions generate 30% more attendance in the first six months of a gallery's existence.
Multicultural Connection: At a time when 60% of French people say they are attracted to artistic practices that mix the East and West (Ifop barometer 2024), Metoui's hybrid calligraphy is very timely.Search for Meaning: One in two French people practice meditation or yoga at least once a month. In the face of the digital invasion, handwritten gestures are becoming a luxury again.Market Dynamics: According to Art Basel & UBS 2024, sales of works on paper have surged by 18% in two years, driven by "cross-cultural" artists.These are just some of the reasons explaining the enthusiasm around "Le Sens Figuré".
• **Address**: 7, avenue de Longchamp, 92210 Saint-Cloud.
• **Dates**: until October 25, 2025, from Tuesday to Sunday (11am-7pm).
• **Entry**: free, reservation recommended on weekends via the gallery's website.
• **Access**: Tram T2 (Les Coteaux station) or Transilien L (Saint-Cloud) then an 8-minute walk.
**Tip**: combine your visit with a stroll in the nearby Parc de Saint-Cloud, offering panoramic views over all of Paris (perfect for posting a "calli-friendly" story).
Emerging from the Icare Gallery, one's gaze is filled with silent arabesques, the mind floating somewhere between Nietzsche and Mount Fuji. Lassaâd Metoui reminds us that the word is a living matter, capable of dancing, singing, scratching. So if you are looking for an escape from the tumult, go ahead, admission is free, the experience priceless.
The term "lithography" refers to a print made from a limestone, invented in 1796. Each print is numbered and signed: a good way to acquire an original work at a lower cost (prices start at around €600 depending on the galleries).
Author Audrey on 04 July 2022
Art and Culture : Painters
Author Audrey on 20 September 2021
Art and Culture : Painters