It is with real astonishment that, Friday, May 23, 2025, the comic designer Mohamed Aouamri discovered the exhibition in the Garden of Saint-Benoît Phantasmagoria. An anthology of sixteen of its coloring plates color and black and white of 120 cm x 180 cm, supplemented by a tarpaulin of 400 cm x 250 cm, nestled at the bottom of the alcove of the emblematic image garden, a space dedicated to photographic exhibitions and large format comic drawings.
“I am really amazed. I had never had the opportunity to present my œworks under such conditions. Original scanned drawings, magnificently enlarged by the studio Ludo de Saint-Georges-lès-Baillarteaux, and installed in a green setting in all its magnificence », Underlined the artist, who came specially from Valenciennes (North) for the opening of his exhibition, which will be in place until September 7.
“Recreation between two albums”
The designer of the prestigious series albums Sylve (three volumes), Mortepierre (five volumes), The quest for the bird of time and other Salga power (Three volumes) later commented on a long time, in front of an audience supplied with elected officials, passionate comics and his friend Jean-Louis Durumeau, founder of the Ligué comic strip festival, each of the boards exposed with many details on their genesis, their composition and the techniques implemented.
“These files scanned and stored preciously on my computer, these are recreation that I grant myself between two albums. The realization of an opus generally takes me between one and two years. »» In September, Mohamed Aouamri will release, with screenwriter Antoine Ozanam, a new 80 -page album on the famous saga Tangandrawn in only 3,000 copies. A collector not to be missed.
During the opening of his exhibition, the designer Mohamed Aouamri commented at length his comic book boards, exhibited until September in very large format, in the garden of images.
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“Fantasmagoria” by Mohamed Aouamri. Selection of enlargements of 16 comic strip boards, black and white and color, image garden, until Sunday, September 7 included. FREE ENTRANCE. Opening every day, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in summer, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in winter. Entering the abbey cloister, rue Paul-Gauvin. Attention, automatic closure of the doors. Information: Saint-Benoît Grand Poitiers tourist office, rue Paul-Gauvin, tel. 05.49.47.44.53, [email protected]
Time.news Exclusive: Unpacking teh “Phantasmagoria” Comic Art Exhibition with Expert Analysis
Keywords: Mohamed Aouamri, comic art exhibition, Phantasmagoria, Saint-Benoît, Ligué comic strip festival, sylve, Mortepierre, The quest for the bird of time, Salga power, Tangan, Antoine Ozanam, large format comic art, comic book genesis, comic book techniques.
Time.news recently covered the unveiling of “Phantasmagoria,” a stunning exhibition showcasing the work of comic designer Mohamed Aouamri at the garden of Saint-Benoît. to delve deeper into the significance of this event and its implications for the comic art world,we spoke with Dr. Eleanor Vance, a renowned expert in sequential art and cultural studies.
time.news: Dr. Vance, thanks for joining us. Your insights are invaluable. What was your initial reaction to hearing about the “Phantasmagoria” exhibition?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: My first thought was, “Finally!” AouamriS work, particularly on series like Sylve and Mortepierre, deserves this kind of large-scale, public recognition. The fact that his original scanned drawings are being presented in such a magnificent, enlarged format speaks volumes about the growing appreciation for comic art as a legitimate and powerful art form.
Time.news: The article mentions the exhibition features enlargements of Aouamri’s coloring plates and black and white drawings, some reaching 120cm x 180cm, and a tarpaulin of 400cm x 250cm. What impact does this scale have on the viewing experience?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: Scale is transformative. When you enlarge comic art to this degree, you’re not just seeing the finished product, you’re invited to appreciate the artistry and technical skill that goes into each line, each color choice. Details that might be overlooked in a smaller format become prominent,revealing Aouamri’s mastery of composition and technique. It’s a real immersion into his creative process.
Time.news: aouamri himself describes these showcased pieces as “recreation between two albums,” somthing he does during the longer production cycles of his comics. What does this suggest about the relationship between the artist’s “main” work and these more experimental pieces?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: That’s a crucial point. It highlights the dedication and breadth of an artist’s practice. These “recreation” pieces aren’t just idle sketches; they’re explorations, experiments that likely feed back into his main series. Comic creation is incredibly demanding. this allows for freedom & growth.
Time.news: The article mentions Aouamri’s upcoming collaboration with Antoine Ozanam on a new Tangan album, limited to 3,000 copies. Why is this release critically important?
Dr.Eleanor Vance: Limited edition releases frequently enough signify a dedication of unique care or artistry. This small number and unique production would classify this material with collectors. It presents an opportunity to own a tangible piece of comic art history, a beautifully crafted object that will only grow in value over time. Any interested parties should try to find this limited edition run as soon as possible.
Time.news: For aspiring comic artists, or even established artists looking to expand their reach, what are the key takeaways from this exhibition and Aouamri’s approach to his art?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: Aouamri uses digital artwork,so these drawings can be used for large prints,and small comic books. Digital tools are the future. more specifically, the key is artistic quality; focus on technical skill and composition. Strive to create something truly unique. engage with the comic community.Aouamri’s connection to the Ligué comic strip festival, and the support he receives from fellow artists and fans, clearly plays a vital role in his success.Networking and ongoing collaborations are vitally important and can help promote work and improve visibility.
Time.news: Dr. Vance, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us.
Dr.Eleanor Vance: It was my pleasure.
“Phantasmagoria” Details:
The “Phantasmagoria” exhibition showcases enlargements of 16 comic strip boards, both in black and white and color. It’s running until Sunday, September 7. Admission is FREE. The garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in summer and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in winter. The exhibition is located at the image garden, entering the abbey cloister, rue Paul-Gauvin. For further information, contact the Saint-Benoît Grand Poitiers tourist office at 05.49.47.44.53 or [email protected].
