Francis Pavy receives 2025 Lineage award from basin Arts
From Basin Arts: On Wednesday, October 1st, from 6:00-10:00 PM, join us as we celebrate & honor the 2025 LINEAGE Award recipients. LINEAGE will be the VERY FIRST event in our new space and will also mark the start of Basin Arts' 10th Year as an arts organization! We cannot wait to welcome guests into this next chapter by celebrating two of our community's most esteemed artists.
ABOUT THE HONOREES:
Francis X. Pavy is a Louisiana-based visual artist known for his vibrant and evocative paintings that capture the spirit of Cajun culture. Pavy’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and his paintings are featured in numerous private and public collections, including museums and institutions dedicated to Southern and contemporary American art. A celebrated cultural figure in Louisiana, Pavy continues to create art that honors the soul of Cajun life while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Southern expression.
Grace Hamilton-Mayfield is a visionary arts leader, educator, and advocate with over four decades of experience in shaping the cultural and educational landscape of Louisiana and beyond. She established the Hamilton Academy of the Arts as well as the Hamilton Academy Performance Company. Over the years, more than 4,000 students have trained under Grace’s guidance, and tens of thousands have experienced the transformative power of her work.
Lafayette Travel Launches “Gumbo People” Video Series with Acclaimed Artist Francis Pavy
The first episode launches today and features local artist Francis X. Pavy, known for his bold, folkloric style and deep connection to South Louisiana’s visual storytelling traditions. Pavy’s video explores his lifelong commitment to honoring the South through art, his influences from zydeco and Cajun culture, and how Louisiana continues to shape his creative vision. See the Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyPpOaqfbm4&t=3s
"Last Supper with Elvis" on the Cover of The Real Estate Network Magazine
Catch Francis Pavy's iconic piece, "Last Supper with Elvis," on the cover of The Real Estate Network magazine. The issue also includes an extensive five-page spread and an insightful article by Brooke Broussard, offering a closer look at Pavy's remarkable contributions to the art world.
Pavy's "Mystic New Crown Princess" Graces Current Arts Cover!
Francis Pavy's painting "Mystic New Crown Princess," is featured prominently on the cover of the latest issue of Current Arts magazine. Delve deeper into Pavy's distinctive style with a special two-page spread showcasing his art inside the issue.
Francis Pavy's Art Dances onto Rolling Stones 7-inch Single!
A true collaboration of art and music! Francis Pavy's dynamic imagery, "Dancers," is featured on the cover of The Rolling Stones' 7-inch single of Clifton Chenier's classic song "Zydeco Son Pas Salé." This special release was on the legendary Arhoolie label and also appears on the Valcour Records tribute to Clifton Chenier.
Experience Art Differently: Fest House Virtual/Augmented Reality Showing
Experience Art Anew: Francis Pavy's Virtual & Augmented Reality Exhibition
Step into the future of art with Fest House's innovative six-part virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) exhibition, showcasing the groundbreaking work of renowned artist Francis Pavy. Produced by In-link and Ether, this immersive experience was a major highlight of the recent Festival International de Louisiane.
This cutting-edge VR/AR exhibit, proudly sponsored by Info-Link, offered a truly unique way to engage with Pavy's art. Visitors accessed the exhibition primarily through their cell phones by downloading a dedicated app via a QR code. Within the app, each of the six distinct sections of the exhibit was "triggered" by a specific image, seamlessly blending the physical and digital worlds.
The exhibition featured a diverse range of displays designed to provide a multi-faceted immersive experience:
SOLAON Array: An innovative arrangement offering a unique visual perspective.
Carousel Array: A rotating display providing dynamic views of Pavy's creations.
Floating Frame Array: Artworks presented in an ethereal, seemingly suspended manner.
Overhead Dynamic Virtual Reality Piece: A captivating VR experience viewed from above, offering a comprehensive and interactive perspective.
A Movie: A cinematic exploration of Pavy's artistic vision.
A Layered Painting: An augmented reality experience that revealed hidden depths and dimensions within a single painting.
This pioneering exhibition set a new standard for how art can be experienced, pushing the boundaries of traditional gallery settings and embracing the exciting possibilities of virtual and augmented reality.
Echos of Hue and Song @ ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY FEB 1-APRIL 22
Mark your calendars! "Echoes of Hue and Song," an exhibition featuring original and recent artwork by Francis X. Pavy, will be on display at the prestigious Arthur Roger Gallery in New Orleans. The exhibition runs from February 1 to April 12, 2025, at 434 Julia Street. Don't miss this opportunity to experience Pavy's latest creations. See all the artwork here: https://www.pavy.com/projects/echos-of-hue-and-song or here: https://www.artworkarchive.com/pieces/collections/echos-of-hue-and-song-gallery-exhibition
This exhibition represents a crest in the ocean of my artistic voyage, rooted in the foundations of my past work while pushing into uncharted creative territory. Over the years, I’ve sought new ways to express myself—experimenting with color schemes, patterns, and techniques. This collection draws heavily from ideas and concepts that were once left behind or not fully explored, blending them with fresh approaches to create something entirely new.
At the heart of this show is a piece titled Chansons Abandonnées ("Abandoned Songs"). This work revisits themes I explored in an earlier painting, Lost Songs (2005), and embodies the central idea of revisiting, reclaiming, and expanding upon forgotten or dormant ideas.
While preparing for the recent release of my book, which reviews 40 years of my work, I had the opportunity to reflect deeply on my creative evolution. Revisiting earlier pieces unearthed forgotten techniques and concepts that had long been shelved. This rediscovery became the driving force behind many of the works in this show.
Night-Blooming Flowers: Work in Contrasts
The first pieces I created for this collection were inspired by night-blooming flowers, such as Twin Blooms, Deep Summer, and Night Lily with Pomegranate and Okra. For these works, I employed an older glazing technique to create a sense of depth—pushing the darker backgrounds back to enhance the luminous, lighter foregrounds. The resulting contrast evokes the quiet intensity of nocturnal beauty.
Acadian Eclipse: Capturing the Light of a Moment
Acadian Eclipse, was completed in late spring. It was inspired by the surreal light during a solar eclipse, a moment that felt suspended between day, night, and twilight. This work features a central image of a barking dog, framed against a stark, darker background, a motif I’ve explored extensively in the past. The challenge was capturing the eclipse’s fleeting, otherworldly light while maintaining the high contrast that anchors the work.
A Grid of Exploration: Smaller Works
The smaller pieces in this show were conceived as both studies and finished works. Arranged in a grid, they explore diverse themes and techniques. Notable works include Coastal Prairie with Attakapas Hand, Contemplating the Ossan Two-Step, and Two Guitars Avec Couteau. For Contemplating the Ossan Two-Step, I revisited the fragmented imagery of a 2011 piece titled Burgundy Mist, aiming to delve deeper into its disjointed narrative and composition.
During this process, I noticed a recurring circular motif, which culminated in a larger work called Dark Pool. Inspired by the shimmering, iridescent colors of oil on water, this piece stands out for its intensity and focus, expanding on my long-standing exploration of water imagery.
Some pieces in this collection depict events rather than abstract impressions. Works such as Full Moon at the Blue Moon, Entering the Green Room at Bobby Charles’ Club in Holly Beach, and Gumbo Ce Soir capture specific moments and memories. Others, like Burning Green Firewood and Triplerow, offer poetic glimpses of fleeting experiences.
One recurring vision throughout the summer was that of a burning city—a vivid, almost dreamlike image that seemed to symbolize the intense heat, chaos, and energy of urban life. I This motif weaves through several works, reflecting an emotional undercurrent that I felt compelled to explore. The Image haunted me all summer.
Final Works: Reflection and Forward Motion
The last two pieces I completed for this show were Requiem for a King and Mystic New Crown Princess,. Requiem for a King revisits a small watercolor I painted in 1988, expanding its composition into a larger format for the first time. The timing felt right, as this year marks the centennial of the legendary musician Clifton Chenier’s birth.
Mystic New Crown Princess blends elements of carnival and trail ride culture, looking forward to the future of these enduring traditions. It serves as a celebration of continuity and transformation—a fitting note to conclude this collection.
COUNTRY ROADS MAGAZINE FEB 2025
It all begins with an idea.
Look for Francis Pavy's captivating work, "Full Moon and the Blue Moon," on the cover of the February 2025 issue of Country Roads Magazine. Inside, you'll find an engaging article titled "Pavicons" by Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, providing an in-depth look at Pavy's artistic journey and influence.
New Book Release: "Forty Years, Painting French Louisiana"
Just released in January, "Forty Years, Painting French Louisiana," Francis Pavy's new book, is now available from UL Press. This comprehensive volume features insightful articles by renowned writers Ben Hickey and Nick Spitzer, offering a rich exploration of Pavy's extensive career and his deep connection to French Louisiana. For more information to purchase book click here: https://shop.pavy.com/collections/bandanas-scarves/products/francis-x-pavy-fortyears-copy
