Transitions

The layered, frenetic drawings of Michel Saint Hilaire seem to have been derived from dream life.  A meditative blend of historical and modern references creates  an image that spans over time and links together concepts that are ages apart.  In the category of surrealism, the drawings contain elements of architecture, and a matrix of line that intersects and connects the narrative of the final piece.

The philosophy behind the rich lattice of graphite drawings stems from Saint Hilaire’s passion for the transitory state of life.  He likens the construction and deconstruction of buildings and other man-made structures to the human passage of life.  Although the “lifespan” of a building usually surpasses the lifespan of a human being, what interests Saint Hilaire, are the physical changes that take place during their existence. Believing that architecture is a metaphor for life, what excites the artist is witnessing the transformation that architecture undergoes.  “What I want to express is the way I feel when I see (architectural) creations being born and destroyed.”  The strong directional lines traversing through and over the image of an old building in a state of deconstruction, symbolizes the transition to rebirth and modernism.