Le Touquet–Paris-Plage
Van Hecke and de Soos at Galerie Emeraude
A duel between North and South

Since 2004, Galerie Emeraude has occupied a former 300-square-meter warehouse at 49 rue de Paris in Le Touquet, recently transformed into an original two-storey venue. Guylaine Fry, “the lady of the house,” passionate about her profession, provides a warm welcome and, by exhibiting more than 40 artists throughout the year, offers us a journey into the world of art—paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. The space also allows for the organization of cocktail receptions or dinners, with the complicity of the restaurant Le Ricochet.

Every two months, the large basement space makes it possible to showcase—particularly through lighting, often approximate in many exhibitions and here exceptional—artists both known and unknown. While hanging works by established masters, the gallery also aims to be a place of discovery, giving young artists who wish to test themselves on the art market a chance.

On November 1, 2008, the opening took place of an exhibition running until January 3, 2009. Around fifty paintings by Arthur Van Hecke were hung, to our great delight. A French painter born in Roubaix in 1924 and deceased in 2003, he founded the Groupe de Gravelines in 1961 with Raymond Picque, Jean Bertaux, and Jean Castaner. As Guylaine Fry notes, the artist is synonymous with “the luminous generosity of the North.” His career and body of work stand out for their multifaceted abundance, a passionate attachment to the land and people of the North, a deep humanism, and rare generosity. “The man enjoys international renown, and his paintings are present in numerous museums in France and Germany. His work, like that of many painters from this region, is tinged with Flemish Expressionism, which gives this painting a richness of material and light. His robust, spirited handling can also invite comparison with the art of Soutine. The emotion born of these paintings is very subjective, but it is evident that this gifted painter, when he ‘steps out’ a little from his style, can adapt in a surprising way! His magnificent maritime painting The Port of Dunkirk is a striking illustration of this and imposes itself on connoisseurs!”

Marine de Soos also presents her sculptures and was present at the opening. Her works resemble her: “beyond the gaze, inner beauty” (Guylaine Fry)—to which we could add femininity, the elegance of bronze work inspired by scenes of life observed during distant travels in Africa and Asia. Her talent asserts itself gracefully in female bodies, and authentically in her African or Asian figures. A true, sincere artist!

In conclusion, an exhibition not to be missed!

Didier Messiaen