In brief
At 90, he reflects on a lifetime shaped by art and Surrealism, which he describes as much an attitude as a style, on display at the Independent Art Fair.
Jean-Claude Silbermann, now 90, has returned to the spotlight with his captivating paintings showcased at the Independent Art Fair. His journey began in the late 1950s when he approached André Breton, the leading figure of the Surrealist movement, outside a Paris café. “I didn’t know how to do anything. I hadn’t even written any poems,” Silbermann recalled. Despite his lack of experience, he boldly proclaimed himself a Surrealist, viewing the movement as an attitude towards life and a challenge to the status quo. Born in 1935 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Silbermann distanced himself from his traditional family in pursuit of a poetic lifestyle, unwittingly stepping into the chaotic and revolutionary world of Surrealism. A pivotal moment came when he discovered the poetry of Guillaume Apollinaire at 18, profoundly impacting his life. After traveling through Oslo and Copenhagen, where he supported himself through various ventures, Silbermann's return to Paris brought familial pressures that led him back to a more conventional life, much to his dismay. Gaining weight and experiencing anxiety, he found solace once more in poetry and art through Bretton’s influence.Silbermann's rich history in Surrealism has not only shaped his personal journey but has also culminated in a body of work integrating both the poetic and the visual aspects of life. His contributions stand as a testament to the resilience and timelessness of the Surrealist ethos, making a notable impact on today’s art landscape.
