L’empreinte

The artwork "L'empreinte" by Hélène Maris is a contemporary diptych composed of two similar drawings. Each painting is divided into two distinct parts: the first part presents fragments of wallpaper, while the second part features an abstract drawing made on the inverted paper, glued and vertically flipped underneath. In this artwork, the artist explores the notion of "empreinte" (imprint), both in its literal and symbolic sense. The fragments of wallpaper represent visual traces of the past, evoking memories and recollections that overlap and fragment over time. The abstract drawing, on the other hand, represents a more intangible imprint, that of artistic expression and personal experience. Hélène Maris skillfully plays with the composition and juxtaposition of the two parts in "L'empreinte," creating a visual and conceptual tension. This diptych invites the viewer to reflect on the ephemeral nature of our existence and the imprints we leave behind, both physically and emotionally. "L'empreinte" is a contemporary exploration of memory, identity, and art, inviting the viewer to contemplate the complex layers of our past and present.