Claire Nicolet explores, through painting, drawing, and printmaking, an intimate universe where nature and autofiction intersect. Her works testify to the solitude of a natural world often devoid of human presence, questioning our relationship with the environment. Influenced by Chinese cosmology, she uses recurring motifs, such as clouds, waves, and trees, which she represents with great precision through clear and meticulous lines.
Her work, primarily created with acrylic and vinyl on wood or canvas, is characterized by structured, often geometric compositions where grid lines serve as the foundation for more organic forms. Each stroke becomes a form of writing, a sign that invites reflection. Through her paintings, Claire Nicolet reopens the dialogue between the visible and the invisible, between nature and introspection, offering a visual experience where rigor and freedom coexist.
Born in Pontarlier, Claire Nicolet lives and works in Paris. She graduated from ESAIG Estienne (Arts and Crafts, specializing in Printmaking) and from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 2015 in the Jean-Michel Alberola studio. Initially trained in printmaking, drawing, and the creation of written and illustrated books, she later turned to painting. In 2018, she won the Yishu 8 France Prize and undertook a several-month residency in Beijing in 2019. In 2022, she exhibited at the Galerie du Jour (Agnès b. Foundation) and created a monumental fresco for the open-air theater in the city of Nanterre. In 2023, she embarked on a residency at sea aboard the Tara schooner as part of the Tara Europa expedition by the Tara Ocean Foundation.
Born in 1988
Lives and works in Paris, France
EDUCATION
2015 D.N.S.A.P., National Supérieur d’Expression Plastique, Beaux-Arts de Paris, France
2012 Diplôme des métiers d’Art, option Gravure, mention Excellent
l’E.S.A.I.G Estienne, Paris, France
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Les Collines parfumées, Nouvel Institut Franco Chinois, Lyon, France
2022
Grand Bleu, Icicle Avenue Georges V, Paris, France
À mon seul désir, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Paris, France
2021
Pensare, Fantasticare, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Aix-en-Provence, France
2020
L’Éternel présent, Espace Larith, Chambéry, France
2019
Le soleil est derrière, Under Construction Gallery, Paris, France
La promenade de Yéyé, Maison des Arts Yishu 8, Beinjing, China
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Tara, La grande expédition, Le 104, Paris, France
La peinture figurative contemporaine dans la collection d’Agnès b., La Fab, Paris, France
Histoire d’Yishu 8, résidence d’artistes franco-chinoise, National Art Museum Of China, Beijing, China
2023
Jardin bleu, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Aix-en-Provence. France
2022
Bons baisers de Pékin, Yishu 8, musée Guimet, Paris
Luxembourg Art Week 2022, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Luxembourg
Claire Nicolet et Valentin Ranger, Galerie du Jour, Fondation Agnès b., Paris, France
Le génie des lieux 2, Espace d’Art la Terrasse, Nanterre, France
La valse des ombres, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Aix-en-Provence, France
2021
Luxembourg Art Week 2021, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Luxembourg
Snap Time is over, Galerie Valentin, Paris, France
High Art Orchestra, Galerie Jean-Louis Ramand, Aix-en-Provence, France
2020
Any Ways, Under Construction Gallery, Paris, France
2018
Vivre (commissaire Michel Nuridsany), Ici Gallery, Paris, France
«L’homme qui marchait dans la couleur», Galerie du CROUS, Paris, France
Espace Commun, Under Construction Gallery, Paris, France
Rock on Paper, Under Construction Gallery, Paris, France
2017
Paysages intérieurs, Cité des Arts de Chambéry, France
Histoire de Vivre, Red Bull Space Gallery, Paris, France
In Residence, Griffin Gallery, London, UK
2016
Dessyn 1.2, Under Construction Gallery, Paris, France
2015
Dessyn, Under Construction Gallery, Paris, France
AWARDS
2022
Nominated for the Marin Prize, sponsored by Françoise Pétrovitch
2018
YISHU 8 Prize
RESIDENCIES
2023
Residency at sea during the Tara Europa expedition on the schooner Tara, Tara Ocean Foundation
2020
Metropolitan Exploration Residency, École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Clermont-Ferrand
2019
YISHU 8 Residency, Beijing, China
2016
TFAC Residency, Colart, London, UK
PUBLICATION
2023
Introducing Claire Nicolet, Art Press N° 506
2021
Topoïïïï et Topoïïïïï, Éditions Traînailleur
2020
Sélection dans l’Édition spéciale Super Kiblind N°4
2019
Topoï, Topoïï, et Topoïïï, Éditions Traînailleur
Contribution au magazine trimestriel Kiblind
2016
Contribution à la revue de dessin The Drawer N°10
Best Of «Tout est dans Tout», Éditions Paper ! Tiger ! Press !
Raconte Ta Vie Ailleurs, Éditions Paper ! Tiger ! Press !
2015
La Boucle, Éditions Paper ! Tiger ! Press !
