Stéphane Villafane
Visual artist & Architect
Born in France, 1969
Lives and works in Barcelona and South of France
Education
2000 Degree in architecture – School of Architecture of Lyon (France)
1995-1998 Specialization in Visual Arts
Conceptual approach to the project: studies / installations developed and supervised by Dominique Blaise,
visual artist teaching at the School of Architecture of Lyon (France)
Pictorial approach to the project: studies / paintings created and supervised by Jean-Philippe Aubanel,
painter teaching at the School of Architecture of Lyon (France)
Video project approach: studies / short films directed and supervised by Georges Baconnier,
scenographer teaching at the School of Architecture of Lyon (France)
1988-1994 School of Architecture of Lyon (France) and Technical School of Architecture of Barcelona (Spain)
1988 Scientific bachelor degree
Main exhibitions since 2008
2019 Gallery // Esther Montoriol, Barcelona // Spain
2019 Gallery // Lisa Norris, London // United Kingdom
2017 Gallery // MMB, Avignon // France
2017 Gallery // Galerie13, Montpellier // France
2016 Fondation // Lluro, Mataro // Spain
2014 Gallery // Mark Hachem Gallery, Paris // France
2013 Gallery // Griffin, London // United Kingdom
2012 Gallery // Gallery 32 // Jordan
2011 Gallery // Modus, Paris // France
2009 Fondation // IAC Juan Gil Albert, Alicante // Spain
2009 Fondation // Lluro, Mataro // Spain
2008 Gallery // Montcada, Barcelona // Spain
" Stephane Villafane trained as an architect and as a result his primary interest when it comes to painting is space and its relationship to time. How one can formulate different types of space; empty space, constructed space, natural space, meditative space and so on. In order to explore and discover new space, he sees it vital to empty his paintings of a narrative or a subject. He describes his process more of observing things from a distance, which involves working across different media including photos, sketches, and models before he arrives at a painting on a large scale.
He travelled a lot when he was younger and was heavily influenced by American literature, particularly the Beat Generation. This influence is reflected in his conceptual approach to painting, concerning himself with the emptiness and absence of travelling on a journey. His palette is subtle but fresh and full of light, mainly blues, whites, greys and green, which are tranquil and quietly recede as the shifting planes of space come to the fore.
His profession as an architect and his profession as an artist remain inextricably entwined." Lisa Norris Gallery, London