"In general I don’t photograph reality, I photograph what has been, what may have been, what I imagine must have been, what I would like to see, what I would like it to be… maybe in reaction to my first photo reporting experiences many years ago, already."
"My  photographic work is closer to that of a painter, particularly with the use of Polachrome and Polagraph films."

Pierre henri Chauveau

Rituals - Toreros

Pierre Henri Chauveau explores pagan rituals and particularly the dramatic corrida ritual with its strong theatricality. Tauromachy uses precise rites, costumes and almost ballet movements which give its color and rythm to the fight between toreros and bull up to the final dramatic outcome. Montherlant has compared the corrida to a ritual sacrifice. It is also a fight for glory and honor. And in all cases, an ancient drama from which Pierre henri Chauveau managed to capture the essence in strong images showing the somber beauty of the subject.

Traces and impressions

Pierre henri Chauveau works on traces. Traces of places and people who have been there leaving their spirit behind. Intrigued by the idea of transformation, fascinated by the fleeting aspect of life and the brevity of human existence in contrast to centuries preceeding and following, the artist becomes a smuggler of what has been and a witness of what is left.

His approach is in no way documentary. It proceeds from interpretation and creation. Pierre henri Chauveau masters the patience of those who meditate with application. He tries to capture the essence. When he feels it, he impregnates his film with it. Then, like a painter, he works patiently for days in his studio, in successive touches, dot by dot, erasing or adding substance. His goal is to sublimate emotion. The result lies in images taking the viewer beyond the mere image. They are story-telling  and they look more like paintings than photographs.