•ART Space
Area A：I Am Serge
Serge's lines embody joy. He believes that humour is intricately nuanced and deeply embedded in a nation’s culture, with French, American, and Chinese humour each having its distinct flavour. This exhibition showcases 30 of Serge's illustrations from his series Love Letters, Alone, and Walking alongside his uniquely personal cubic installations. Through these creations, Serge transcends national and cultural boundaries, uncovering universal themes and spreading joy to diverse audiences, thus making his distinctive wit and humour universally relatable.
Serge’s lines tell stories. In his picture books, the worlds built from his lines often bring us touching revelations. His characters, often made with a few simple strokes, may look childlike but encapsulate major themes in our lives. For example, life and death in I Can't Wait, life and dreams in The Big Adventure of a Little Line, and creative conflict resolution in The Art of Fighting…Throughout these stories, Serge appears as both an inquisitive child, posing endless questions to adults, and a wise older brother accompanying young ones on whimsical explorations of the real world. His narratives prompt readers to reflect on the complexities of life, all while evoking genuine laughter amidst simplicity.
For Serge, the line is his tool, his language. Through his works, he chats and plays with the audience. All we have to do is to step into his world of lines and then burst into laughter.
Area B：I Can't Wait
I Can't Wait is one of Serge Bloch's most representative works, published globally in multiple languages and cherished by families across the world. This section centres on this book. Through a masterful use of lines, he crafts a cosy home encompassing a diverse array of characters and narratives, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of exploration. Following the sequence of the book, the exhibition unfolds emotionally resonant scenes from childhood to adulthood and old age – from the anxious anticipation of a child waiting for their parents to come home, to the exuberance of discovering love in adulthood, the weighty responsibilities of parenthood, and the profound sorrow of illness and loss of loved ones.
With a length of brilliant red thread, Serge weaves the eloquent tale that is life's journey. As versatile as the tree in Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree, the thread represents the emotional bond between husband and wife, the bit of colour on a bleak day, the bow in her hair, the wave goodbye. It pushes and pulls, gets tangled and taut, embraces and secures, is yanked, torn, and let go – and then reconnects once more.
This section uses simple black and red lines to depict the major events in everyone's life and the core of ordinary life – joy and sorrow. This minimalist yet exquisite space is both profound and witty, warm and full of wisdom.
Area C：Bird People Bathhouse
‘Bird People’ is a comic collection by Serge, which is an anthology of factual news comics set in France. In this comic collection, people in the city have bird-like beaks, and their dull expressions are and they are bustling about. These vivid images serve as a metaphor for modern urban life, reflecting Serge's unique artistic perspective and creative philosophy.
In this section, we present this unique concept in a brand-new way. Stepping into the‘Bird People Bathhouse’, you will find that the four walls, ceiling, and floor are all adorned with images of‘bird people’, as if you have entered an entirely different world. These‘bird people’ images are not only distinctive but also filled with humour and irony – they are expressionless and in a hurry, and not even the mermaid in the bathtub can attract them.
In this fantastical‘Bird People Bathhouse’, let's all play the part of mermaids and embrace our unique beauty. We hope that you, who are usually busy with your daily routine, can find your own happiness and resonance here.
Area D：Serge Bloch Gallery
Welcome to Serge Bloch's personal art space. Here, you will discover another facet of this world-renowned master of line art. This section showcases over 30 illustrated works from Serge's Love Letters series, Alone series, and Walking series, as well as his highly distinctive cubic installations that bear his unique personal signature.
These works retain elements of line art, photography, and collage, further demonstrating Serge's true prowess as a master of line art. Beyond the painting series, there are also his ceramic works on display here, showcasing his diverse artistic creation techniques.
Hall of Line Picture Books
Chronology of Serge Bloch's Illustrated Works
Eat Your Superpowers! 2023
Une vieille histoire 2021
Modern Art Explorer 2020
La rue de l'ours 2018
Hôtel Bellevie 2018
George and His Shadow 2017
Le grand livre de la bagarre 2017
Chocolat so Chic! 2017
3, 2, 1…Draw! 2016
Saturday 2016
L'interprétation du rève illustrée 2016
Eux c'est nous 2015
La grande histoire d'un petit trait 2014
Ubu 2012
Le collectionneur 2012
Butterflies In My Stomach and Other School Hazards 2010
Reach For the Stars and Other Advice For Life's Journey 2010
La Bible 2007
L'ennemi 2007
Moi j'attends 2005
Les Sentiments, C'est Quoi? 2004
SAMSAM 2000
L'école de Léon 2000
Sam et son papa 1998
Max et Lili1992
