Chongqing - Vincent Cazeneuve hails from Toulouse, France, a sister city of Chongqing. He is an artist specializing in contemporary lacquer art. Previously, he established a studio in France dedicated to the restoration of Western and Asian lacquerware. 

In 2009, he moved to Chongqing, immersing himself in the study of lacquer art and traditional Chinese culture and craftsmanship. His works have been exhibited in various art institutions both domestically and internationally and have been collected by private collectors.

Recently, at the Yuelai Art Museum - Yanshi Space, Vincent introduced the artworks of the exhibition Chongqing Artist Archive - Vincent Cazeneuve. The exhibition showcased his 15 years of creative practice in Chongqing. From Huangjueping to Gele Mountain, Hufeng Mountain, and Chengkou County, Vincent has created numerous lacquer pieces that blend Eastern and Western artistic elements.

Settling in Chongqing to pursue lacquer art

Vincent was born in a rural village in Toulouse, France, in 1977. After completing his studies in France, he established a studio specializing in antique restoration. During this time, he developed a deep interest in natural lacquer, also known as Chinese lacquer. However, the industrial lacquer in France could not meet his needs, so he dreamed of exploring the origins of lacquer in Asia.

In 2007, Vincent visited China as per the invitation of his Chinese friends and fell in love with lacquer art during his visit to Chengdu. In 2009, he arrived in Chongqing and was captivated by the artistic atmosphere of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SFAI). Combined with the excellent quality of lacquer available in Chongqing, he quickly settled there. He established his studio in Huangjueping, where SFAI is located, and began his systematic exploration and creation of lacquer art.

Vincent mentioned that Huangjueping is a land-nourishing art. There, he encountered many professors and artists from SFAI and engaged in exchanges and learning with them. He also met his wife, Xiao Rong, who graduated from SFAI's oil painting major. They shared a common love for art and gradually came together.

Vincent moved his studio a few times in Chongqing, from Huangjueping to Gele Mountain, Hufeng Mountain, and finally settled in Songbai Village, Beiping Town, Chengkou County, in 2021, closer to the source of lacquer.

Exploring the origin of lacquer in Chengkou

"A long time ago, I learned about the Chengkou lacquer. I wanted to find an old house in Chengkou to use as a studio and immerse myself in lacquer farmers' lives to explore lacquer's origin," Vincent explained. 

By chance, an official of the Beiping Town Government in Chengkou County saw his documentary online and realized that his aspiration aligned with the development needs of the Beiping industry. They immediately invited Vincent to Chengkou to create.

The wooden houses around Beiping Town have beautiful surroundings, and a comfortable and quiet environment, making it an ideal place for creation. He has lived there for two years and is fully integrated into the local life. He has learned how to tap lacquer from lacquer farmers and developed an intimate connection with lacquer.

"The process of tapping lacquer is dangerous, lonely, and hard, but it brings happiness," Vincent said. He often goes alone to Daba Mountain to tap lacquer. He climbs up the lacquer trees and works all night to collect the lacquer in the morning. When the sun rises over the hillside and the sunlight falls on his face, witnessing the lacquer flowing slowly, even the sounds of insects and birds make him feel joyful.

In Vincent's view, traditional craftsmanship is extremely precious and needs to be protected and inherited. He hopes to do his best to promote and pass on the art of lacquer.

Chengkou lacquer art is an intangible cultural heritage of Chongqing Municipality. Currently, the Chengkou County government is organizing the development of large-scale lacquer tree planting to drive industrial growth and achieve rural revitalization. With Vincent as a starting point, Chengkou has also attracted many young people to participate in lacquer art research in the countryside. Vincent believes these measures will facilitate the integration and development of modern art and traditional craftsmanship, contributing to lacquer art's protection, inheritance, and innovation.

The artistic rebirth of ordinary objects

Vincent's lacquer art breaks away from the traditional presentation of black lacquer and expresses itself more brilliantly. Upon closer examination, one can discover that beneath the smooth surface of his works lie broken rice bags, old bamboo baskets, and bowls. They bear the marks of time but are revitalized under Vincent's exquisite lacquer art. Vincent's unique artistic expression creates a strong contrast between the new and the old, roughness and smoothness, tradition, and the present.

Vincent's lacquer art pieces carry the shadow of antique restoration, combining antique restoration with the craft of lacquer and local life. Vincent explained that producing a lacquer art piece requires many complex processes and takes a long time. To diversify his works, Vincent also studied traditional handcraft techniques such as weaving and bamboo weaving, incorporating them into his creations.

Regarding the future, Vincent hopes to continue deepening his research on lacquer and lacquer art in Chengkou. He also plans to learn more about traditional Chinese culture and handicrafts, enriching his works with layers and textures.

Expecting a twin city exhibition in Chongqing and Toulouse

Vincent's hometown, Toulouse, is located in southwestern France and is the fourth-largest city in the country. Chongqing and Toulouse became sister cities in December 1982, marking the first sister-city relationship established by Chongqing at the municipal level and the beginning of Chongqing's international-friendly city initiative.

"Chongqing and Toulouse are both cities that I love, carrying the joyful moments of my life," Vincent explained. As early as the 20th anniversary of establishing the friendship between Chongqing and Toulouse, he had planned to hold a personal exhibition in both cities to celebrate, but it was eventually canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. He hopes to have the opportunity to fulfill this wish in the future. In the meantime, he will hold a personal exhibition in Paris in September this year.

"Over ten years of living in Chongqing passed by in an instant. In my memory, the first time I walked into Huangjueping feels like it was just yesterday," Vincent said. He loves the ups and downs of Chongqing, the city's grand openness, and the straightforwardness and generosity of the people of Chongqing. Over the past decade, Chongqing has developed rapidly, especially with the convenient and efficient urban rail transit connecting the city.

Vincent expressed that Chongqing and Toulouse are cities with a long history, developed industries, and a harmonious combination of mountains and rivers. The two cities have conducted cultural exchange activities such as reciprocal exhibitions and art performances. French students came to study at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute long ago and became famous artists after returning to their country. Chongqing students have also been studying at the Fine Arts Academy in Toulouse. In the future, Vincent hopes that the two cities can engage in more cultural exchanges and city promotion activities to promote cooperation and enhance mutual understanding between the two places.