Charles Rollier's art intertwines vibrant abstraction with spiritual exploration, evoking the mystical essence of the feminine divine
Born in Milan in 1912 to a Swiss-Italian family, Charles Rollier studied painting at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. Between Geneva and Paris, he befriended artists like Alberto Giacometti, Jean Bazaine, and Nicolas de Staël but remained independent of any specific art groups or movements. Though sometimes associated with Informal Art, Rollier rejected all labels, especially that of abstract painter.
His early works were figurative, influenced by Cubist deconstruction and Cézannian touches, but gradually evolved towards form simplification and color emancipation. By the mid-1950s, he entered his "broussailles" period, characterized by spontaneous, scratched, and slashed drawings.
This artistic shift paralleled his personal spiritual journey, influenced by Zen Buddhism and non-Western philosophies, seeking to connect art with spirituality, centered around the female figure as a mediator between the human and the divine.
In the mid-1960s, Rollier's work transitioned to his "ondoiements" period, featuring vibrant colors and fluid, light materials. His enchanting paintings evoke the feminine presence as a source of life and energy, transcending trivial representation and following his mystical aspirations.
A contemplative painter and philosopher, Rollier documented his thoughts and work in a journal. Despite his unique and sometimes underappreciated identity, he regularly exhibited in Switzerland and internationally from 1953. He represented Switzerland at the 1958 Venice Biennale, and a major retrospective was held in his honor at the Musée Rath in 1969.