Contemporary Painter and Sculptor – Humanity Laid Bare

Presented at the Ariel Jakob Gallery

Born in Grasse in 1965, Philippe Pasqua is a self-taught French artist whose bold and visceral work explores the edges of beauty, vulnerability, and memory. Inspired by figures such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, Pasqua began painting at the age of 18, developing a raw and instinctive style fueled by intense emotional power.

His monumental portraits, created with heavy, layered brushstrokes, often depict subjects who exist on the margins—people with Down syndrome, blindness, or gender fluidity. These figures are portrayed with dignity and strength, rendered in tones of red, brown, and gray that evoke flesh, presence, and emotional depth.

Pasqua’s sculptural work extends this exploration of the human condition. From bronze and silver skulls adorned with butterflies or gold leaf, to monumental dinosaur skeletons, and even a full-sized Ferrari skinned in tattooed leather and hung vertically—his creations provoke reflection on death, memory, and transformation.

He has exhibited widely, including major solo shows such as Borderline at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (2017) and Allegoria at the Domaine de Chamarande (2018). His works are part of significant public and private collections around the world.

The Ariel Jakob Gallery is proud to showcase Philippe Pasqua’s work , offering an immersive experience into the uncompromising world of an artist who pushes the boundaries of representation to reveal the raw essence of humanity