After growing up in Africa and graduating from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Claire Duval settled in Montpellier. For ten years she led collection-based workshops and guided tours at the Musee Fabre, while developing a body of work centred on the mandala.
The paintings in her book are acrylics on wood. Mandala, a Sanskrit word for circle, evokes for her universal order and the still centre around which our lives keep moving: an invitation to harmony, meditation, and inner peace.
On the mandala
“ The circle represents the stillpoint, the dimensionless and peaceful centre within us. Around this centre, life whirls in its vast kaleidoscope of forms and colours. ”
Path
Exhibitions
- 2017: Restaurant Folia, Chateau de Flaugergues (December)
- 2016: Autumn exhibition
- 2015: 3–28 November, 6 rue du Levat, Montpellier
- 2013: Terre nourriciere biotech centre, Collias (July–December)
- 2012: Places aux Arts — 16 June, La Canourgue
- 2011: A75 tourism space, Le Caylar (September)
- 2011: Conference centre, Cap d'Agde (May)
- 2010: Espace Concordance, Domaine de la Madrugadora (Herault) — June
- 2010: Trimurti, Gogolin (Var) — April
- 2009: 5th Equilibre et du mieux-etre salon, Beziers
- 2009: Les Voies des Palais, Montpellier
- 2009: Montpellier international fair (Prenez la Route des Indes)
- 2009: Intercultural congress for peace, Domaine de Verchant, Montpellier
- 2008: ART ST ROCH, Montpellier
- 2007: Salon d'automne, La Louvesc (Ardeche)
- 2006: Abbaye Notre-Dame des Neiges (Ardeche)
- 2003: Chapelle de Salinelles (Gard)
- 2000: Caisse d'Epargne du Peyrou, Montpellier
- 2000: Au Caylar — visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- 1999: Bordeaux, Grand Manitou
- 1998: Paris, rue Boissonade (14th arr.)
- 1997: Painting and reading with Marie Rouanet, Montpellier
Museum education
- · Regular workshops introducing children to the collections
- · Projects for students from kindergarten to high school
- · Thematic workshops around temporary exhibitions
- · Creation and delivery of guided tours
- · Research on artists and their time to prepare sessions
1997–2007: museum educator, visual arts — Musee Fabre, Montpellier (France).
Teaching
1995–1998: visual arts teacher — middle and high schools, Montpellier.
Training
BA and MA in visual arts, Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris. Moved to Montpellier in 1995.
Practice
- Technique
- Acrylic on wooden panels.
- Motifs
- Mandalas, landscapes, colour studies.
- Formats
- From sketchbooks to large wall pieces.
- Availability
- Works and commissions on request.