Raphaèle Bernard-Bacot (RBB) lives and works in France.
My professional life revolves around drawing: I began with graphic design in advertising agencies, and soon after, dedicated myself to artistic drawing. Eventually some of my sketches have been the starters of two books which I illustrated and wrote afterwards.
My inspiration comes from two themes; dance and nature.
Between 1996 and 2011, I was inspired by contemporary dance. My work includes 16 Figures my artist’s book, Figures dansées (Dance Figures) and Témoin Danse (Dance Witness), a collection of drawings of some of the greatest contemporary choreographers like Carolyn Carlson and Angelin Preljokaj.
Since 2012 I have found new inspiration in the vegetable garden and have created a set of pastel drawings called Fruits dansés (Fruit Dances).
In 2018, I was invited at an artist’s residency in rural China . I created paintings from my travelbook for the opening of the of the International Art Center in Shangjin.
In 2017, my sketchbook was published by Glénat: Le Potager du Roi de Versailles, dessins de saisons (The Royal Vegetable Garden of Versailles, seasons drawings) and in 2020, my second book was published by Rue d l’Echiquier: Jardiniers des villes, portraits croqués sur le vif (The City Gardeners, Portraits sketched on the Spot).
Exhibitions
2018
- Le Clos des Fées, France
2018
- Shangjin Contemporary art center, China
- Le Rivau Castle, France
2017
- Aywiers Abbay, Belgium
- Textor Gallery, Francfort, Germany
2016
- Villandry Castle, France
2015
- Invitation d’artistes, Picardie Regional Council, France
2014
- Abbay of Léhon, Dinan, France
- Gallery La Boucherie, Saint-Briac, France
2013
- Gallery d’Hauterives, Brussels, Belgium
- Art and Paper Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium
- Gallery La Boucherie, Saint-Briac, France
- Contemporary Art Fair, Sevres, France
2012
- Gallery La Boucherie, Saint-Briac, France
2011
- Cultural center, Rueil-Malmaison, France
- Association Dess(e)ins, Paris, France
- Contemporary Art Fair, Garches, France
2010
- Seine de Danse, Paris, France
- Gallery Arteum, Paris, France
2009
- Auditorium Saint Germain, Paris, France
2008
- Cultural center, Lublin, Poland
2007
- Gallery Médiart, Paris , France
2006
- Contemporary Art Fair, Garches, France
2003
- Townhall, Villejuif, France
- Contemporary Art Fair, Saint-Cloud, France
2002
- Gallery La Hune, Paris, France
- Pages, Artist’s Books Fair Paris, France
- 18th Fine Art Print Fair, Rueil-Malmaison, France
- The Artist’s Book Biannual, Arras, France
- Book Lover’s Fair (Bibliophily Fair), Paris, France
2001
- Creation of the Literary Competition « 16 Figures in Search of an Author »
1999
- Juin de la Celle Saint-Cloud, France
1997
- Gallery Quatuor Plus Un, Geneva, Switzerland
Publications
2020 : Jardiniers des villes, portraits croqués sur le vif (The City Gardeners, Portraits Sketched on the Spot ) published by Rue de L’Echiquier)
2017 : Le Potager du Roi, dessins de saisons à Versailles (The Royal Vegetable Garden, Seasons’ Drawings of Versailles) published by Glenat
2012 : Publishing of a drawing in Dess(e)ins, published by Herscher
2001 : 16 Figures (16 Dancing Figures), selfpublication
Public collections, Prizes and Fellowships
2018 : Artist’s residency in China and Commission of a paintings from the Shangjin’s
2010 : Dance drawings, Commission by the Hauts de Seine Dance Festival, France
2009 : 16 Figures purchased by the National Center of Danse from Pantin, France
Carnets Bagouet drawings, Commission by the City of Paris
2002 : Prints Art Fair, Prize by the Corot Group, France
1999 : Prize of the City of La Celle Saint Cloud, France
1996 : Artist’s residency and fellowship from the Yvonne Jean Haffen Foudation, France
1995 : Artist’s residency and fellowship from the Laurent Vibert Foudation, France