Karen Joubert Cordier (born August 29, 1954), known as Karen, is a French-American artist.
She currently lives and works on the French Riviera in Roquefort-Les-Pins.
Early life and education Joubert Cordier was born to an American mother and a French father. Her father was the Chief Purser of the liner France (Compagnie Générale Transatlantique), and she crossed the Atlantic Ocean 49 times. She studied applied arts at the Académie Charpentier, Paris.
Career After completing her studies, Cordier was mentored by the art dealer Daniel Cordier. Her first exhibition was held at the Galerie Beaubourg, Paris, and her works were later included in the permanent collection at the Georges Pompidou Centre, Paris.
Themes in her work include travel, nature, and plant life.Consulat General De France a Hong Kong et Macao. (2009). "Karen Joubert-Cordier", p.1. Consulat General De France a Hong Kong et Macao. Her time traveling with her father on liners, and further travelling, inspired some of her paintings. She has stated that each journey is a "source of inspiration" and that her creative process sometimes begins with cartoon-like sketches based on her travels. Her series French Prestige depicts scenes and memories inspired by Joubert Cordier's childhood travels, incorporating elements ranging from European settings to figures from the Pop Art movement. Her series Romantic Rivera is inspired by the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), referencing the era when English and American residents sought tranquility there. Joubert Cordier's paintings in this series depict scenes from the region, using colours like the blue of the sea, the red of the sun, and Sienna tones, and feature figures from various fields including business, film, art, and literature.Ora-Ora International Limited. (2009). Karen Joubert Cordier, p. 9. Galerie Ora-Ora, Hong Kong.
She often utilises the entire canvas in her work.Ora-Ora International Limited. (2009). Karen Joubert Cordier, p. 1. Galerie Ora-Ora, Hong Kong. Her series Le Déchaînement de Végétal (The Unbridled Vegetation) features depictions of flowers and plants, sometimes utilising fluorescent colours and a free composition style. Her L'Exotism series features canvases depicting plants and animals.
Cordier's Pop Collection incorporates imagery from comic strips, elements of American culture, and consumer society.Lumeau, J (2009). "La fresque de Karen au CERAM", LMS NEWS, 73 These works draw upon the pop art tradition and include references to economic trends, figures like Andy Warhol's Marilyn, symbols such as Mickey Mouse and Superman, and personalities ranging from Norman Rockwell to Bill Gates.
Her art incorporates elements often associated with expressionism, fauvism, pointillism, postmodernism, and surrealism.CEO (2009) "Breathing art into life", CEO Hong Kong 62 (2-3) One review states that Joubert Cordier's work incorporates elements reminiscent of the surrealism of Dalí, the colours of Le Douanier Rousseau, the technique of Arcimboldo, and the modernity of Robert Combas.
Collections Joubert Cordier's works are included in the collection at the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris. Her works are also in private collections, including those of the former French Prime Minister Jean-Francois Girard and entertainer Elton John, and by institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation.
Some of her paintings are held in national museums, including the Art Modern Museum in Toulouse, and by international collectors.
Exhibitions 2010 Shanghai "My City Our Dreams" Gala Auction, Shanghai, China; May 5 Lifeline Express "The Beauty of Nature" Charity Painting Exhibition, Pacific Place, Hong Kong; Apr 16 – 19 Christine Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
2009 Alife Fresco 7th Anniversary, Tokyo; August 28
Festival de Cannes; May 20 Le French May, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong; May 1 – 7
Galarie Marie Ricoo, Calvi; April 11 – 30 Les désordres du plaisir, Musée des abattoirs, Art Moden Museum, Toulouse (new donation Daniel Cordier); Jan 24 – April 19
2008 Hong Kong International Arts and Antiques Fair, Hong Kong Fresco on wall: CERAM Business School, Sophia Antipolis Museum of Perfume, Grasse Gallery Take 121, Nashville, USA Happy Art Gallery and Rotshield Bank, Cannes; Oct 8 Galerie Geraldine Zberro, Paris Galerie Onega, Paris Chicago Sister Cities International, Chicago, USA; Oct 8
2007 Galerie Pelissier, Nice Grand Hotel St. Jean cap, Ferrat Galerie de l'eveche, Vence
2006 Raffles Museum, Singapore Ode to Art Gallery, Singapore Negresco Hotel, Nice Kieba Gallery, Vence Karement Karen College Nikide, St Phalle
2005 Dream and Passion, Singapore French Affair with Singapore, Singapore Villa Durazzo, Santa Margarita, Italy Les Abattoirs, Art Modern Museum, Toulouse Beaubourg Gallery, Vence Negresco Hotel, Nice Château Ste Roseline, Draguignan Cultural Center, Roquefort les pins
2004 Business Center, Nice Airport Galerie Loumani, Valbonne
2003 La Verand'anne, Gstaad, Switzerland Referencing at Georges Pompidou Library Fifth Gallery, Paris Galerie de l'eveche, Vence SNCP Champs Elysees, Paris
2002 Cultural Center, Roquefort les pins L'Abbaye, La Colle sur Loup Mas d'Artigny, Vence
2001 Gallery Aurora (William), Shanghai, China Navy Museum, Le Havre Mas d'Artigny, Vence Negresco Hotel, Nice Tatina Tournemine Gallery, Paris Beaubourg Gallery, Vence
2000 Chateau des fleurs, Marianne and Pierre Nahon, Vence L'Ile en terre Gallery, Vence
1991 - 1999 99: L'Abbaye, La Colle sur Loup 98: Chateau Str Roseline, Draguignan 98: Consulat du Canada, Chicago, USA 96: New Eastside Art Works, Chicago, USA 96: Nicole Gallery, Chicago, USA 94: Majestic Hotel, Cannes
1980 - 1990 89: Art Honction Nahon, Nice 88: Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris 87: Galerie Beaubourg, Paris 86: Henry Clew Foundation, Mandelieu
Permanent exhibitions Les Abattoirs, Art Modern Museum, Toulouse Georges Pompidou Centre, Paris Galerie Onega, Paris Navy Museum, Le Havre Galerie Marie Ricco, Calvi Happy Art Galerie, Cannes Ode de Art Gallery, Singapore
References