MACHRI
Belgian painter, born in Switzerland, August 13, 1949.
Machri was born with brushes between his fingers. In the background: the mountains of the Swiss Valais and the sun of August 1949.
Immediately, Machri discovers the magic of painting. This fascinating material with which we can “say” so many things.
At 14, she began artistic studies in Brussels. A course that she will complete 4 years later with a specialty in illustration.
In the early seventies, the artist founded the Ateliers Machri. Their originality? A learning method that puts everyone's creativity back at the heart of painting. An approach that goes further than just the academic practice of an art.
1979 marked a turning point in Machri's career. His revelation by Mimi de Neef opens the doors to the very closed circle of the Naïfs of Belgium. A style that she will continue to develop. Until breaking away from it with the creation of a real Machri “touch”.
In 1982, the Galerie Tétra (Wavre) asked him for his “Hôtel de ville”. The Quartier Breughel exhibits its sarcastic studies on the city of Brussels. And the Lorelei Gallery, its pranksters. The press, with Le Soir, La Libre Belgique, La Derniere Heure, Le Drapeau Rouge, Vers l'Avenir, Femmes d'Aujourd'hui, Het Laatste Nieuws, etc. revealed his talent to the public for the first time.
A year later, the critics are again under the spell. And she's not the only one. Machri's view of Walloon Brabant arouses enthusiasm. His paintings are exhibited in the four corners of Belgium as well as in Europe: Paris, Munster (Germany),...
For Paul CASO (Le Soir) as for the public, the talent - the real one - is there. With his creative passion. And also his technique.
In 1984, the canvases grow; the brushstroke flourishes. Machri paints "paintings-happiness": the viewer is transported to a world where humor and freshness set the tone. "Vlan" is about "The school seen by the naives". Machri exhibits "The Angel and the Beast".
The following years will be placed under the sign of evolution. In 1989, "Le Monde Médical" then "I'm going to build" devoted their columns to the artist. The illustrations reveal a bold painting, more and more accomplished. The lines of force emerge, the framing tightens and the colors burst.
Machri's personality now engages firmly. The solidity of his talent asserts itself. Its production increases. From now on, she devotes herself entirely to her art.
In 1992, Machri was invited by the prestigious Luc de Broqueville Art Gallery, in Dallas (USA). This is the beginning of the consecration. The astonishing colors spring from his canvases and provoke the enthusiasm of the American public.
In 1993, Ateliers Machri grew. Their activities are expanding. In addition to painting and drawing, students have access to courses in sculpture, comics, etc. Success is there and the Ateliers Machri are setting a standard…
Throughout the 90s, the artist never stopped producing. His works are requested for many collective or personal exhibitions.
Year 2000: the colors have reached full maturity. The formats have grown even further. And the Machri “touch” definitely asserted itself.
Today, she continues to exhibit: France, Lyon, Arles, Paris, Brussels...