Hector Saunier
Artista invitado

“The instrument that inspires me most is the burin. I improvise directly on the copper. The essential color is a completely different adventure”.
_ Hector Saunier

“(Héctor Saunier) … he does not only create a space of imagination beyond our normal experience, but leads us into another dimension of the consciousness of the color in itself – making us aware of the unsuspected amplitude of one of the most joyful aspects of life”.
– Stanley William Hayter

Painter and engraver, Hector Saunier was born in Argentina where he studied architecture, while working in various “alimentary jobs” in order to save money for the journey he has in mind. The great adventure starts in 1961 when Hector  moved to Paris. In 1966, chance brought him into contact with Stanley William Hayter and he decided to study printmaking at the Atelier 17. Saunier learned his skills mainly with Hayter, who quickly recognized his talent. Later, Hector Saunier became assistant in the workshop, working closely with Hayter for twenty years. In 1978, he was appointed Associate Director of the Atelier 17, which he conducted during the absences of Hayter. His great technical and artistic virtuosity lead him much to print a great part of the Hayter´s work who he considered his master.

The artist is now co-director, with Peruvian Juan Valladares, from the Atelier Contrepoint, a name given to the old Atelier 17 after Hayter’s death in 1988. Continuing the tradition, Atelier Contrepoint is an experimental workshop attended by artists and students from all parts of the world, a place of exchange and learning. Many famous artists worked in the Atelier 17, and later in the workshop that succeeded it. Following the example of what Hayter encourages, the practice of printmaking is considered here as a way of creation rather than a means of reproduction.Under the watchful eye of Hector Saunier, his partner and assistants, artists, still work nowadays directly on the plate, constantly urged by new experiences and new techniques. The method of simultaneous colors or engraving techniques in several colors on one plate, dear to Hayter, the range of actions they offer, encouraging artists to continually innovate. Collaboration between old and new promotes the spirit of researching and creativity. Everyone here gives an appointment to himself for his own discovery.

Hector Saunier´s prints, sophisticated and subtle, are a celebration of the expressive power of line, texture, space and color. Refined and incomparable printmaker, the artist shows an aesthetic sensibility which is infinitely personal, unlimited imagination playing with colors as a virtuoso musician does with his harmonies. The engraved line of Hector Saunier is bold and spectacular, swirling and dipping into space, always between swelling and shrinking. If the “imagery” is not related to surrealism, his creative process is largely in tune with the surreal automatic design, unconscious sources of creative inspiration. His work is altogether of a surprising beauty, poetic and full of mystery.