On February 20, 2025, the Renée restaurant, an iconic venue on the Promenade des Anglais, dives into the excitement of the Nice Carnival with a unique exhibition by Guillaume Cavalier. The Nice-born artist, affiliated with the School of Nice and the New Realism movement, unveils a series of flamboyant paintings inspired by the magic and colors of the carnival.
Guillaume Cavalier doesn’t paint, he burns. His creative process is based on a dialogue with fire. Using a lighter, he marks the canvas, allowing the imprint of the flame to draw shapes. “The imprint of fire tells me a story that I convey to the public,” he explains. This work, which he calls burn papers, echoes the experiments of major figures of the School of Nice like Yves Klein, Arman, and César.
In this exhibition, each piece is an alchemy between chance and intention. The silhouettes emerge from the burns, the textures play with the light. A vibrant tribute to contrasts, between destruction and creation.
A Restaurant that Brings Art to Life
This collaboration marks the second edition of the partnership between the Renée restaurant and the Unlimited Art Space gallery. Far from traditional exhibition spaces, this event allows visitors to admire artworks while enjoying a meal or a refined cocktail crafted by Vadim Astori, Marusya Okuschinska, and Polina Kirdoglo.
“Galleries can be intimidating. Here, art invites itself into daily life. It is part of the decor, but also of the moment that each guest experiences,” emphasizes Guillaume Cavalier.
An Artist with a Wandering Soul
Born in Nice in 1994, Guillaume Cavalier traveled the world before returning to his artistic roots. His style oscillates between spontaneity and mastery, capturing fragments of emotion and symbolism. From Paris to Beverly Hills, and through Canada, his work has impressed numerous international galleries.
Through this series, he questions the notions of transmission, memory, and perception. “Each painting is a unique entity, a frozen moment that nevertheless continues to evolve with the viewer’s gaze,” he confides.
An Immersion Accessible to All
The exhibition is visible until April 23, 2025. All the works are available for sale, offering art lovers the opportunity to acquire a unique piece.
With this initiative, Renée confirms its ambition: to offer much more than a meal. Here, every detail is an experience, every visit a discovery. A place where gastronomy, art, and celebration come together, to celebrate Nice and its Carnival from a new perspective.
