Galerie BA - Berthet Aittouarès

The Galerie BA-Berthet Aittouarès , directed by Odile Aittouarès, has taken part in Brafa for twelve years, sharing a booth with the AB Gallery run by her sister Agnès. This edition focuses on a resolutely gestural form of abstract expression, rooted in line, gesture, and calligraphy. The gallery has long explored the idea of “sign expression,” where gesture becomes both language and meditation.

Henri Michaux embodies this dialogue between poetic writing and experimental painting. His travels in the Far East and his encounter with Zao Wou-Ki in 1949 deeply shaped his artistic path. In 2004, the gallery brought Michaux and Zao Wou-Ki together in an exhibition on the “adventure of the sign.” The gallery has also devoted several shows and publications to Michaux.The East-West dialogue continues with Mark Tobey, influenced by Chinese calligraphy and often linked to the origins of dripping. The work shown at BRAFA comes from the collection of Swiss pianist François Gaudard, who performed Tobey’s piano pieces.

The presentation then leads to Hans Hartung, represented by the gallery, with a 1957 work painted using a Chinese brush gifted by Zao Wou-Ki. Vera Molnar, pioneer of digital art, is highlighted for her early plotter drawings from the 1960s. The exhibition concludes with Yann Bagot, whose ink, salt, and water compositions “write” the movements of the sea.