Alliance Française de Dhaka is hosting an exhibition ‘Finely Tiny’ by Élise Grosjean. A special artist talk, Mathematics and Art: Exploring the Connections, by Élise Grosjean, will precede the exhibition.
From a young age, Elise began her artistic journey by drawing on her skin with henna and later transitioning to paper. To escape the monotony of school, she found solace in covering her diaries with imaginative drawings. This early passion for art persisted, even as her academic path took an unexpected turn.
Elise pursued an academic career, becoming a Doctor of Mathematics (PhD in Mathematics) and an assistant professor at ENSTA-Paris, a prestigious engineering school. Her research focuses on the development of numerical methods to simulate physical phenomena. Yet, when she’s not solving complex mathematical equations, Elise finds every excuse to draw, experimenting with a wide range of techniques, including pencils, inks, oil paint, acrylic, watercolor, pigments, collages, henna, and even salt dough.
What connects her two seemingly divergent passions—mathematics and art—is her love for intricategeometric patterns. This connection is especially evident in her paintings Classroom and Roméo & Juliette– Mathematician Version, both of which will be featured.
According to Moinuddin Khaled “A technique similar to that of Matisse can be found in her work in the process of dividing space in terms of two-dimensionality and adding motifs. Perhaps Paul Klee also is her source of inspiration. Following the tradition of folk art and rejecting it—these two services are present in her work.”
He continues “Mehndi design on palms and arms are drawn repeatedly by Elise. She did not consider these designs only as ornaments. It has characteristics of Tantra art. There is also a hint of Indian mystical thought. It is easy to feel that there is a deep understanding of life behind the ornamentation in her work.”
The exhibition will open on November 1 from 6:30pm at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi. It will be open to all til November 9, from 3pm to 9 pm everyday
