Denis Rouvre & David Nal-Vad /  Book Design

Co-Incidences

Denis Rouvre and David Nal-Vad’s paths crossed by chance. When the photographer-to-be and the French-Gabonese painter/sculptor met in Libreville in 1989, both were unaware that their profound friendship would lead to an artistic collaboration 20 years later. In 1991, David set up his studio in Paimpol, Brittany, while Denis began his portrait work in Paris. Rouvre photographed Nal-Vad’s sculptures, recording his creations. The systematic documentation of David’s works left its imprint on Denis and produced a visceral trust between the two men. To the point where they wished to juxtapose each other’s work. A first exhibition took place in Paris in 1995 : “Portraits de chair, portraits de bois” (Flesh portraits, wooden portraits). Twenty of David’s sculptures, representing African women, were shown with twenty of Denis’ oversized prints : nude portraits of males, females, old men and women, and children. Following this, Denis suggested David paint over his prints. By superimposition, the photographs became canvases. Entrusting his work to David, Denis ended its reproducibility. The artists’ expression of their joint vision began with these twenty works in which one artist abandoned control to the other. It took seven years for David and Denis to decide to renew the experience and two for them to produce the works. This time it involved three participants : a model and the two artists. Denis invited a model to the studio and directed her through poses. Between each shot, David took the photographer’s vision to another level, adding brush strokes to the backdrop and the model’s body. The photographer’s directions altered the model’s body. This living canvas inspired the painter. Multiple works emerged from this carnal dialogue. Neither image, nor sculpture, they are living testimonies to a collaboration without premeditation. The images reflect their will to enhance each other’s work, to explore the unknown and embrace the end result. This is what gives the work of David Nal-Vad and Denis Rouvre its raw strength.
Cécile Cazenave

Denis Rouvre, photographer
With the publication of “Hors Jeux” (Ed. de L’If, 2007) and “Sortie de Match” (Ed. de la Martinière, 2006) Denis Rouvre continued his quest as a portrait artist which began more than fifteen years ago. Editorial, advertising, books, exhibits, album covers: using every existing print media, he offered unexpected portraits of famous, sometimes unknown subjects who step in front of his lens. Various series emerged from his multiple encounters: “Vision Animale” or “Cannes Marathon”, exhibited in 2000; “Addict”, published in 2004; “Putain de Guignols”, published in 2005 (Ed. Albin Michel); “Automaton”, exhibited at the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie in Arles, in 2005; or, in a fleeting way, on the covers of magazines in France and around the world. His work has been published in Première, Elle, Marie Claire, Télérama, L’ Express, Studio, Le Monde 2, Libération, Time, GQ Italy and the New York Times, among others. Since 1998, Denis Rouvre’s portraits have been syndicated through Corbis Outline. www.rouvre.com

David Nal-Vad, painter/sculptor
David Nal-Vad defines himself as a cultural vagabond. The half French-half Gabonese painter/sculptor spent thirty years in Gabon before making Paimpol his home. Strongly influenced by both cultures, David believes he needs to reconcile both bloodlines to uncover the sacred path. Africa’s so-called “primitive” art remains his main source of inspiration. The artist explores the organic world, immerses himself in the esoteric symbolism of this cultural universe to better plot a parallel course. His painting, “never totally premeditated”, is an act which becomes an artistic work. His carnal sculpture is the result of a diversion of a physical entity, matter and materials. Only the deliberation leading to the creative impulse counts. After over forty exhibits around the world, David pursues his quest towards the quintessence of his art, not what lies behind him but what he still has to accomplish. His motto : “knowing that creating is a battle, and that advancing towards one’s art is like going to war”.