Sln Factory.nouméa - Robert Tatin d'Avesnières - Oil On Canvas Signed And Dated 58 - Caledonia

Robert TATIN D'AVESNIERES (1925 - 1982)
"SLN Factory Nouméa". Oil on canvas - signed and dated 1958 - 74 x 106 cm

Robert TATIN dit d'Avesnieres from the name of his town of birth, to differentiate him from his father Robert TATIN dit de l'Epine, figure of naive art. Trained in decorative painting in his father's business, he felt attracted by other horizons at a very young age and, after spending a few months in Algeria, left for Tahiti in 1950. While working as a sign painter, he made his first paintings there. He will spend more than 25 years in the Pacific, where he will forge most of his work from Polynesia to the New Hebrides framing five years in Caledonia. After a stint in Indonesia and Bali in particular, he returned to France from 1977 to 1982 where he could not find his place. An exhibition of his paintings brings him back to Papeete in 1982 where he will end his days shortly after.
His original painting, like no other, tackled subjects as diverse as humble still lifes, peaceful lagoons, industrial sites or grand market scenes. He traced his path without concession and nothing was unworthy of his interest.
In the painting presented here, we are struck by the contrast between the joyful, almost naive nature in the foreground and the infernal character of the Nickel factory which feeds on it. Without doubt one of the most beautiful paintings by Tatin d'Avesnières in his best period.