unusual
The history of art only ever remembers a few names for posterity. Only a few artists make the century and the others little by little become known only to a few curious people. But there are certain artists in this world who will never quite fit into our boxes. There are artists who always fight against our categorical logic, who often escape fame, sometimes oblivion. Frank Barret is perhaps one of those whose local influence is sufficient to preserve the memory.
Who is Franck Barret?
Born in 1909 in Saint-Antoine de Breuilh, Franck Barret only launched into what can be called “naïve art” after the war. It is an art practice which ignores, voluntarily or not, the traditional techniques of artistic creation. In a cave that he renamed “caches”, he went to collect clay and thus model characters and scenes that appeared to him in dreams. The ingenuous sculptor is prolific: he devotes entire days and nights to modeling. His dreams are an inexhaustible source of inspiration for him. In this, Franck Barret was probably, without knowing it, a great surrealist visual artist.
An unusual work
Some of his sculptures are improbable: a Yeti two meters high, a Loch Ness monster three meters long or even the representation of a Martian.
Others are animated by a mystique that is specific to Barret's universe: a reproduction of Lourdes Cathedral, Pope Pius XII, the angel Gabriel or even Saint Joseph.
The beginning of notoriety
For a long time, Barret exhibited his works on his farm, which is also his home. He will offer guided tours to an audience of curious people, an ever-increasing number of people wanting to admire his work. He then becomes a local curiosity, an extraordinary character, for some a “medium”.
A collection in danger…
His sculptures, which are only made in dry clay, do not have the immutability of terracotta statuettes. They suffer from temperature variations as well as from the company of rats which have invaded the old museum. His work, neglected for many years, suffered the ravages of time more quickly than anyone could have imagined. The clay universe is crumbling. An emergency rescue of the collection is coordinated by the Pays Foyen Museum. During the move, some rooms suffered some damage. The work of the Museum nevertheless made it possible to save what could still be saved. Today, a permanent exhibition allows you to see part of it at the Musée du Pays Foyen, 142 Rue de la République in Sainte-Foy la Grande.
Focus on the Foyen Country Museum
If you feel like going to discover this colorful character, take the opportunity to discover the crockery from the old earthenware factory in Sainte-Foy, thematic exhibitions on water or migration in Pays Foyen, works from ceramist Paul Corriger, a breathtaking model of Sainte-Foy la Grande or to visit the office of the famous Élie Faure. The Museum opens its doors to you on Thursdays from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, contact 06 75 70 35 34.
