"My neighbor Sam Szafran (1934-2019) was an extraordinary man, artist and friend. We often had lunch together, and agreed to paint his portrait. More preoccupied with our shared friendly moments talking about our lives, our journeys, current events, than with freezing a moment; time passed too quickly. Sam bowed out, and it was his grave that I photographed.
During a visit to his widow Lilette, I found myself in his studio, regretting that I had no photographic memory of my friend Sam, and the desire to photograph this place invaded me. It's a busy, magical world, one that can be found in most of his paintings: endless staircases, exuberant vegetation, the presence of Lilette, his wife, numerous easels and hundreds of pastels. I took many photographs of his studio, a precious place where his presence is lodged.
Sam Szafran was considered France's greatest pastellist. It was a great honor, and an emotional one, when Lilette allowed me to come and work in Sam's studio, and especially to use his pastels. I worked on my images by applying traces of his pastels. In this way, I intended to continue our friendly bond, to find ourselves united in my work, to pay tribute to Sam...giving him a colorful, living existence..."
Antoine Poupel
Galerie AB
Founded in 1989 by Agnès Aittouares, expert for the FNEPSA (Fédération Nationale des Experts Spécialisés en Art), Galerie AB has just opened a second space in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Here, it presents drawings, paintings and photographs by established artists from 1910 to the present day.
Galerie AB takes part in numerous art fairs, including FAB (Fine Art Biennale - Paris), Salon du Dessin (Paris), Art Paris Art Fair (Paris) and BRAFA Art Fair (Brussels).