Xavier Jallais

Born in 1971, Xavier Jallais is a French painter. He lives and works in Chauvigny.

Xavier Jallais studied conservation and restoration of cultural properties in Paris and began a career as a conservator-restorer of canvas paintings. For his own work, the artist draws inspiration by his contact with ancient works which are ruined, damaged or have holes.

The representation of the body is the main theme of his work, and the artist doesn't hesitate to take himself as the model. In his creations, the human being is only partially visible, or is hidden by an object or cut. Even when it's fragmented, the body remains the main theme of his composition.

Through the representation of image, Xavier Jallais addresses human thoughts of an entire society, these include: fears, hopes, joys and sorrows. The body becomes a communication tool, which is renewed and evolved by the artist.