A look back at the CHM Montalivet exhibition: four days of art and connection under the sun
From July 8 to 11, I had the pleasure of setting up my bags and frames at the Espace Culturel Marc-Alain Descamps, right in the heart of CHM Montalivet.
Although I wasn't there continuously (opening night on Wednesday, then Thursday morning and afternoon, and Saturday evening), every visit was packed with inspiring conversations and wonderful surprises.
This group exhibition had a theme that deeply resonated with me: "Art, between philosophy and the contemporary", a tribute to Marc-Alain Descamps with a nod to David Hockney, who recently passed away. I had the privilege of exhibiting alongside painter and sculptor Nicolas Dubreuille.
An opening night that exceeded my expectations
The exhibition opened on Wednesday, July 8, with the traditional vernissage. Around 70 people came by that evening, a turnout that touched me deeply for a first exhibition in this newly inaugurated space.
The atmosphere was simple, relaxed, and full of conversation. Around the illustrations, we talked about the creative process, wide open landscapes, and your own memories tied to the places shown on the posters.
What was on display
I selected a portion of my collection for this exhibition:
- Large format 50x70cm: Plage du CHM, Île du Levant, and Calanque des Pierres Tombées. As often happens, Île du Levant and CHM were among the favorites with visitors.
- 30x40cm format: six posters including Plage des Saumonards, Plage du Bocal du Tech, and Plage de Sérignan.
- A4 format: about ten illustrations to browse through, including La Jenny and Plage Capitello.
Your feedback at the heart of Espace MAD
What touched me most was seeing how my drawings resonate with you:
- Shared memories: many of you recognized a beloved cove, a particular late afternoon light, or the gentleness of a summer afternoon on the sand.
- Artistic sensitivity: the conversations around linework, color choices, and the technique of drawing entirely by hand on a graphics tablet were fascinating.
- Local commitment: many of you appreciated the approach of a considered, small-scale production, printed in France on paper that respects our forests.
A collection born from a philosophy of life
Beyond the landscapes, every Nus au Soleil poster carries a conviction: the freedom to simply be yourself, without judgment, something naturism has cultivated for decades. Exhibiting in a place that pays tribute to Marc-Alain Descamps, a key figure of the movement and its philosophical reflection, gave this whole experience a deeper meaning. This same philosophy of respect, nature, and community is what I keep drawing, poster after poster.
A heartfelt thank you
This exhibition wouldn't have been the same without the wonderful welcome from CHM Montalivet and the whole Espace Culturel team.
I want to warmly thank Jean-Claude Raynaud for his trust and invaluable help throughout this project.
And most of all, thank you. Whether you came to pick up a poster, to talk about the creative process, or simply out of curiosity, your presence and your feedback are the greatest motivation for what comes next in my drawings.
I'm heading back to my studio in Bordeaux with my head full of ideas and the desire to keep drawing these sunny parentheses.
If any of these illustrations caught your eye, discover the full Nus au Soleil collection at nusausoleil.fr.
See you soon along a trail or on the sand,
Gabriel
