Situated in a quiet corner of the Norman countryside, Gérard Garouste’s studio resounds with notes of Indian music, which he listens to as he paints. It is usually North Indian music which brings back memories of the colours and smells of India, of women in saris he crossed in the streets and children throwing buckets of water on a terrace on a hot summer evening. Garouste has been visiting India regularly since 1988, either to prepare for an exhibition or to meet choreographers in Chennai. Every journey enriches his subsequent paintings with an exuberance of memories. His latest installation titled Ellipse, presented by the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, has been inspired by a Kathakali performance and will be on view in Paris at its venue till February 24, 2002.

Gérard Garouste is often considered an artist who has rejuvenated French painting. Since the late 70s, he has been practising what may be called “theme painting,” inspired by literary works, mythology and religion