FloK, a creative renaissance through zinc
Flore Kernec, known as the artist FloK, is a 56-year-old self-taught artist from Bretagne, whose artistic journey is as rich as it is diverse.
Coming from a family of artists — a pianist mother and a violinist sister, both first prize winners at the conservatoire de Paris, and a father very gifted in drawing and painting — she always felt drawn to the world of art. After living abroad for several years, in Asie, in Hollande, in Argentine, Flore changed careers to work in medico-social management. But in 2021, she made the decision to change course and devote herself fully to her passion: art.
NATURE, A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
It was through an interest in home renovation that she began to explore working with zinc. “I had made a zinc wall for my toilet and laundry room,” she confides. This first experience pushed her to deepen her practice. Attracted by zinc, she scours garage sales and flea markets in search of recycled materials. “I bring back pieces that I flatten and recut. I sand, oxidize, and also use natural pigments to bring my creations to life,” the artist adds. FloK creates paintings and sculptures in zinc and finds her inspiration in nature, the sea, and memories of her travels. “Red rocks, majestic cliffs, the sea, nature inspires me, and all of this feeds my creativity,” she continues. The sculptures are hammered zinc fish and couples of lovers. Her passion does not stop there; she also admires the elegance of great fashion designers who inspired a series of paintings. Part of her work is presented as an industrial series where she works with rust and creates works evoking cranes, pétanque balls, backhoes, and characters, “each character I create has a story.” She has also just created a new series of small, highly colorful formats that will soon be exhibited.
EXHIBITIONS
Currently, Flore is working simultaneously on several paintings, seeking to capture the beauty of the world around her. “It is important to remember that man is very small compared to nature,” the creator explains. Her works have already found their place at the Forum du Casino in Hyères and at the villa Frouin, at the domaine de la Castille in La Farlède and at the Fémin’Art salon in Toulon. “Art is my balance; I reconstructed myself through it,” she declares enthusiastically. For those who wish to discover her world, FloK opens the doors of her workshop in Le Pradet and is working on a website where her creations will soon be presented. A wonderful opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of zinc and creativity.•
Laurette PARAY – Photo DR. Instagram: @flok_zinc Facebook: flok_zinc