Japanese Landscapes and Spirit That Rekindled the Painter's Inner Child

Bernard Johner recalls his mother telling him stories of his grandfather's mystical experiences in Asia, tales that profoundly shaped his childhood. These became treasured memories. Later, as he embarked on his life as a painter, Johner had the opportunity to travel to Japan for the first time in 2008. This journey became a quest to find traces of that treasure within the labyrinth of his mind. The Japanese scenery that unfolded before his eyes returned him to the instinctual freedom of a child. Returning to France with thousands of images and countless sketches, Johner, deeply moved by the unique gaze of the Japanese people, dedicated himself to creation, seeking to express it through his own perspective.

This exhibition showcases a collection of works by Bernard Johner, who, while long honoring classical techniques, has continuously refined his expressive style. These pieces capture his encounter with the Japanese landscape and its spirit. Through a diverse palette of colors and lines, Johner's profound joy in approaching the treasured memories of his childhood is palpable.

The "Japan" he presents, seen through the eyes of a Frenchman, is likely to evoke the peaceful, everyday scenes nestled in the corners of our own memories.