« Man is the flower of earth... »
Vietnamese saying
What is an artist ? What makes an artist ? Cézanne said « Art is the revelation of an exquisite sensitivity". While observing Olivier Messas' paintings, one can but only be intrigued by colours and compositions that belong to him only and it is probably by exploring his story that one can hope to unveil, a bit more, the mystery of his truly original universe, one that calls upon sensations that are as much sensual as they are spiritual.
Olivier Messas was born on the 22nd of January 1977, in Hô-Chi-Minh-City, Vietnam. At the age of two, he left for France with his family. They arrived in Marseilles and then moved to Lyon where the young boy spend his childhood and teenage years. Olivier was the oldest of five brothers and sisters. His father was a house painter, this was a source of dreams for the small boy who believed his father to be... an artist !
This was probably a sign of fate. As it is for most Asiatic families, the most important was to blend in easily and successfully, without any fuss, in a new land of which they did not speak the language or know the cultural codes. Luckily they quickly found
friends and were helped in this transition. Olivier’s' family then gave all they could to
their children and allowed them the opportunity to fulfil their destiny. Olivier's vision of life is strongly fuelled and linked to his family values: a mixed culture, self-will, an opened mind, self respect and of the others, solidarity, spirituality but also to his cultural roots: Buddhism and French culture make a mixed family, thanks to his French grand parents from the region of the Vosges to whom Olivier will always be strongly linked.
It is all this which gives Olivier his balanced mind and energy in life! As he became a teenager, Olivier sensed the need to loosen his link with the straight line of the education he received. In Asiatic culture, parents are very present while Olivier, was very early an independent individual. He also however had to face
family responsibilities setting himself as an example for his brothers and sisters . He decided to follow an academic training to be an accountant and graduated. However, he saw that his studies were not what he wished to do : he aspired to something else, something which he had carried with him for a long time.
It was time for him to set his path, to "become what one is » to quote the famous Nietzsche. He left the comfort of his family home and began a second life. His mind was set and the perspective of his life began to change. His character grew and his personality showed its' true colours, more outlandish, more dashing… He studied
anew in the universe of fashion and creation probably deriving from the activity of dressmaker of his mother. He lived three years of daring activity and creativity from which his artistic personality came to grow.
He moved to Paris and quickly found himself in the fashion "milieu", a job which he loved and where he could bring the richness of his origins but also his dreams of colours, of shapes, of patterns… He was even part of the international launch of a brand of clothing...
Life in Paris brought many opportunities and universes which changed, once again, the young mans' perception of the world and of society. It was during many trips and journeys thanks to many encounters with much varied personalities and culture, that he found a new equilibrium between a certain spirituality and true pragmatism.
As time went by, he deepened his taste in painting and defined his style : bright colours, an inspiration derived from nature, strong straight lines on large canvases. His painting reflects his personality in life : optimistic, colourful, joyful, structured, also unpredictable and generous.
Now that you have a few keys to his universe you can now discover Olivier Messas' style, you can now dive into his paintings as you would enter the Mekong, as the sun goes down, at the magic moment when nature and art
are one, when no questions need to be asked.
Olivier Messas is living between France and Germany. He exhibits internationally at the major contemporary art fairs (Paris, Miami, New York, Zürich, Karlsruhe, Singapour, Bruxelles, Luxembourg...).
Written by William Willebrod Wegimont. (Author, screenplay writer)
English translation by Lucie Ranson.
Artist "GUEST OF HONOR" of the Contemporary Art Fair "Mouvement des Arts" HYERES 2023
Artist "GUEST OF HONOR" of the International Contemporary Art Fair "AIDAC" SAINT-TROPEZ 2021
Artist "GUEST OF HONOR" of the TOULON Art Fair 2020
Artist selected by ACADÉMIE J. BOITIAT to participate in the BARBIZON Grand Prix 2017
4th PRIZE "PAINT & SCULPTURE" - International Contemporary Art Fair of SAINT-TROPEZ 2016
1st PRIZE "ABSTRAITE PAINTING" - Grand Salon de Printemps de DRAGUIGNAN 2016
1st PRIZE "ALL CATEGORIES" - Grand Salon de Printemps de DRAGUIGNAN 2016
PALME D'OR "ABSTRACT PAINTING" Salon ARTOULOUSE in TOULOUSE 2014
1st PRIZE "ALL CATEGORIES" - Grand Salon de Printemps de DRAGUIGNAN 2013
2nd PRIZE "ABSTRACT PAINTING" - NLB space / gallery, LIMOGES Summer Competition 2013
PALME D'OR "ABSTRACT PAINTING" - ARTOULOUSE Exhibition in TOULOUSE 2013
Self-taught artist, I adapt my creative approach to that I developed during
my years spent in the fashion and textile professions.
I organize all of my creation around the variation of theme
“that is close to my heart” and which I will reinterpret throughout a year.
So, I never get bored in my job as an artist… “the blank canvas no longer scares me” and I see a significant evolution in my creations from one year to another.
For me, it is essential that my collectors are always surprised by my new creations!
Designed as small thematic collections, my series talk about escape, the sea and its sailboats, about happiness and life... about diversity but above
all about freedom in all its diversity...
Each series uses the application of a particular creative technique and
a harmonious structural composition, enriched by the use of a nuanced
and luminous chromatic palette.
I love colors and their positive energies…
In 2012, I decide to open my studio in Karlsruhe (Germany) and to be a professional artist. Ever since, I paint with passion every day and each of my paintings is a step towards the harmony I am continuousely looking for.
Join me in my world, I am awaiting you there...
ONLINE MAGAZINE HAMPTONS.com
JULI 2024
MONOPOL | MAGAZIN für kunst und leben
mai 2023
My sculpture “The lovers” choose by the art magazine MONOPOL during the art fair Art Karlsruhe 2023.
MAGAZINE TURQUOISE SAINT-TROPEZ
SEPTEMBER 2020
[ Born in Vietnam in 1977 with a French father and a Vietnamese mother, Olivier Messas arrived in France at the age of two and enjoyed a happy childhood. After studying accounting he travels a lot, takes a year off to listen to his heart and make life choices. He quickly moved into fashion design in Paris and started his own business. He then paints for fun when a friend recognizes his talent and gives him confidence ... he needs to paint as a professional and exhibit his works! He very quickly sees that his paintings are attracting people. A first exhibition is organised and in 2012 he opens his own studio/gallery in Germany. Today, it is in this quiet environment that he makes a living from his art. "One particular meeting gave me self-confidence and I started to work on my first collections," says Olivier and it started like that. “Since then, every year, I have developed themes such as “ Spirit Sailing ”. Today I create 100 works a year, I really need them. Of course I sail, it’s a passion, it’s the escape I need. Evry year I have to sail, it's vital. Sailing has taught me a lot about nature and humility. I have known the danger on the sea and I have since then developed a different perspective on many things, a deeper reflection on life. Through my paintings, I try to give positive energies. They have to be generous, colorful. I like to put on color ... Color is life. "
Olivier Messas shows us many other themes with always this message of well-being. Here are a few one absolutely needs to discover: "Free expression". It is, as the name suggests, freedom of expression, escape, the right to be different. Once again, he lets the well-being shine through the canvas, these special canvases that he leaves to dry for 12 months. The result is very strong in energy with a superb work on the material, the play of light and the shadows. The colors are once again very present.
Another series, the "Abstract Landscapes", painting with sands. "It's a work of composition, in the search for light by integrating large white surfaces” explains Olivier. “The sea stands for infinity, eternity, I don't like endings ... I always have to be able to imagine something afterwards".
Even his titles prove it. They are often followed by three small dots so that there is a continuity, a sequel, the story does not have to end there!
Then we discover "The portraits", a novelty, and the "Nomadic Geometry" series, where he works on the theme of travel, of past memories.
"It's a work that evolves enormously with a lot of emotion, love and always the omnipresent colors in my creations. I need these different themes to get away from it all and develop my work. It’s also a work on myself, the search for balance. The result must be joyful, dynamic, it is almost a work of psychology.
Once finished, I want something new, I want to create continuously, that is my pleasure. This continuity calms me down, it is never over, there is always something exciting, uplifting afterwards, I need this energy.
When it comes to sculpture, I love it and I buy it. I started classes in 2015 and learned very quickly. I work on the themes of freedom and especially the freedom of women, femininity in general. Since 2018, I have been creating bronzes on the theme "Land of women". Each sculpture is a tribute to a country that I lived in or that I have visited. It's very strong in message, it's to pay homage to them in my own way "
Projects ?
“Go around the world of course, but first I want to do something very important to me: sell my paintings and have enough money to open orphanages and shelters for women who are rejected with their children. No matter the location, I want to take care of these children and give them whatever is possible for me. I want to believe in it. "
We also believe in it, it is obvious that Olivier Messas will achieve his goals. Do not hesitate to meet this artist, you will be won over by his work but also by the man who will not leave you indifferent. Both dominated by a certain wisdom, his energy is palpable and his generous benevolence does a lot of good. It is the expression of well-being, he humbly likes to share. ]