Italian painter BEDDRU has distinguished himself in contributing conceptual insight to the course of contemporary art by embracing experimentation of non-traditional materials, such as thick superposed plexiglass-panels. His formative creative years were spent in Agrigento, Sicily where he absorbed the influence of classical Greek art. Many of BEDDRU’s multi-media paintings include the visual motifs of classical Greek bas-relief sculpture flattened within the confines of plexiglass. Athletes and female portraits in profile are reminiscent of coins and popular classical imagery. After having admired and studied the works of the great masters, BEDDRU left Italy to continue his practice abroad.

His figurative pictorial subjects are represented through ink-based mixed media applied via reverse painting techniques inspired by Italian painters from the seventeenth century. By developing variations of this technique, BEDDRU focuses on the use of vivid pigments to create striking vibrancy. The eye of the observer is simultaneously caught by both a fascinating chromatic balance and the mystery of enigmatic figures who, from the depths of a mythological past, bring secretive symbols to our contemporary present as messages to decipher.

BEDDRU’s work is represented by well-established art galleries worldwide and it is exhibited internationally on a regular basis in venues spanning from highly ranked art fairs to museums in both solo and group exhibitions. His artwork is part of international private collections such as the collection of the Saudi Royal Family and businessman Graeme Hart in New Zealand.

He joined Global Artists Committee of Asian Art Association In 2020.

“His figures conceal a beauty and liveliness that remind us of Kees van Dongen and the Fauvist movement, along with Alexej von Jawlensky and Franz Marc of Der Blaue Reiter. The bold outlines, dynamic brushstrokes and contrasting hues exude passion and enthusiasm. Beddru relies on strong clashing colours to construct his images, thus evoking powerful emotions of sensuality and expressive depth, juxtaposed to a lightness of spirit that captures and enthralls the viewer with its calm, unobtrusive serenity and pictorial clarity of speech. Marlene Dumas said: “I have always been interested in how you can depict suffering without being heavyhanded”. With Beddru we finally have an answer.”

—— Karen Lappon, art critic, London

2020

• Art Palm Springs, USA
• Between Myth, Sea & Sicilian Markets (solo exhibition) LE NEUF Gallery, Brussels
Belgium
• Art Up Lille, France
• Art Nocturne, Knokke, Belgium
• Affordable Art Fair Stockholm, Sweden
• Art Exhibition, Gagliardi Gallery, London, UK

2019

• Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam – The Netherlands
• ACAF – Bozar Museum – Brussels-Belgium
• “For Want of Abundance,” Artplex Gallery, Los Angeles, CA-USA
• Affordable Art Fair New York-USA
• Expo4Art – Paris – France
• Art3F – Gent-Belgium
• Art Laren – Laren – The Netherlands
• Art Breda – Breda – The Netherlands
• London Art Biennale – London-UK
• AD MvVO Art Show – New York-USA
• Art à Porter – Spazio HUS – Milan-Italy
• ACAF Pop Up – Maasmechen Village-Belgium
• Art Up – Lille-France
• Art Palm Springs-USA
• First Art Fair – Amsterdam – The Netherlands

2018

• Affordable Art Fair Milan, Italy
• Gallery Sille, Outwater, Netherlands
• Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA – USA
• AD Art Show Sotheby's, New York – USA
• Gallery Art & Lef Groningen, The Netherlands
• Affordable Art Fair New York, NY – USA
• Kolner Liste, Koln, Germany
• Salon International d'Art Contemporain, Cannes – France
• Exhibition in Museo Crocetti, Rome-Italy
• ACAF Bozar Museum, Brussels, Belgium
• Antwerp Art Fair, Antwerp, Belgium
• Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam Luxembourg Art Fair, Luxembourg