With “Quartiers d’été”, presented until August 1 at the Laurent Rigail gallery in Montpellier, the artist M. Chat invites the public on a journey through cities, landscapes and references to the history of art. Bringing together works from thirteen years of collaboration with his gallery owner, the exhibition features his famous smiling cat, depicted on canvas using various techniques, between painting, stencil, charcoal and collage.
Your exhibition is presented as an invitation to travel. What is the theme?
It is a journey both in space and in time. In space, through geographies, recognizable cities (like Paris or Orléans), but also settings, urban and plant climates. In time, then, because this exhibition brings together works from the collection of my gallery owner in Montpellier, with whom I have worked for thirteen years.
This journey also goes through the history of art. We recognize in particular references to the Mona Lisa or Van Gogh.
It is a journey into the history of art and its values. I revisit the great masters. Take the example of my rereading of the Mona Lisa: my cats are always painted full-face, while the Mona Lisa historically marks the transition to the three-quarter portrait – a true technical and point of view revolution at the time of Da Vinci, which made it possible to embody a human presence.
At what point do we decide to leave public space to devote ourselves to painting on canvas?
Because street works are ephemeral. They disappear with time, renovations or simply wear and tear. Painting on canvas allows me to preserve certain images and prolong their existence. It is also a way of continuing to explore my universe while changing my playing field.
The cat inseparable from his work
And your cat remains at the center of your work?
Yes, this has always been my main subject. It has become a personal writing, immediately identifiable. Through him, I talk about memories, travels, childhood, joy, but also the passing of time.
Mr. Cat is very codified, but his expressions and environments vary?
I like to alternate approaches. Some works are more descriptive, others closer to abstraction or play on colors. After having painted the same character for years, I want to explore different paths while remaining faithful to this motif.
You also experiment with different techniques.
I use paint, stencils, charcoal or even collage. What interests me is to constantly question the limits between drawing and painting, between printed image and original work.
Your cat always keeps that same smiling expression. Why not make it evolve?
Because this expression is part of the character. It is the heart of my work. It evokes something universal and timeless, a childhood memory or a form of simple joy.
/2026/06/15/6a2fb1f6ad462276479705.jpg "\"Cave\" of the Pont Neuf damaged: JR confident of an upcoming reopening")
/2026/06/12/6a2c14dee87b9839390389.jpg "On pourrait être morts : comment la guerre en Iran a frappé la préparation de léquipe nationale avant la Coupe du monde")
