Christine has lived in Paris as well as abroad, working in very diverse environments that have influenced and enriched her work. From Berlin, where she exhibited for the first time in 1978, to Guadeloupe, Cameroon, Cyprus, Greece, and Burkina Faso, she has perfected a unique style and narrative technique that make her a complete artist.

The Beginning of a Friendship

Christine Robion is not just my favorite artist; she is also a close friend, almost like family. Our meeting is all the more remarkable given the difference in age and nationality. In July 2015, I began learning French at the Alliance Française in Chittagong, Bangladesh, an institution that organizes language courses and cultural events. In 2016, the Alliance Française of Chittagong invited Christine Robion for an artist residency, due to her interest in the Bengali language and her book on the life of a boy from Chittagong who migrated to France.

As a student of Fine Arts in Chittagong and the Alliance Française, I had the chance to participate in a workshop with Christine Robion. To better understand her work, we were given her book “La vie rêvée de Chotan Barua.” Unfortunately, in July 2016, a terrorist attack in Bangladesh led to the cancellation of the residency for safety reasons. It was a sad moment, and Christine’s writings and works deeply touched me. I wrote her a message on Facebook, and we have stayed in touch ever since.

Reunions in France

In 2018, I had the opportunity to come to France for a two-month residency at ISBA, where I met Christine in person for the first time. This meeting was a key moment in my artistic journey. In 2022, I participated in a two-week workshop with Christine and an exhibition at the Trévron town hall. This exhibition, titled “Regards Croisés,” highlighted our personal interpretation of Celtic crosses, symbols ubiquitous in the Trévron region.

The exhibition’s opening took place on Thursday, February 24, at 6 PM at the Trévron town hall. We have painted twenty-four 30×30 cm canvases, inspired by Breton heritage, especially the crosses and locks of the region. This experience was of paramount importance to me. It allowed me to discover the rich heritage of Brittany and inspired me to settle there.

Inspired by Brittany

During the second day of the exhibition, we invited students from the Trévron school to visit the exhibition and draw the crosses they saw around them. This interaction with the young students deeply inspired me and reinforced my desire to immerse myself further in Breton culture.

My journey with Christine Robion perfectly illustrates how art transcends borders and cultural differences. Our collaboration and friendship have not only enriched my artistic experience but also broadened my personal and professional horizons. Christine taught me the importance of storytelling in art and how each work can tell a unique and powerful story.

A Decisive Turning Point

In conclusion, my encounter with Christine Robion was a decisive turning point in my artistic career. She offered me invaluable opportunities and inspired me to continue exploring and expressing my vision through art. Her influence on my work is undeniable, and I am grateful for every moment shared with her. Through our collaborations, I learned that art is a universal language capable of creating deep and lasting connections between individuals, regardless of their origins or backgrounds.

Thus, my experience with Christine Robion and our exhibition “Regards Croisés” represents not only a fusion of our artistic talents but also a testament to the friendship and mutual inspiration that can arise from the meeting of two worlds.