Aller Au Désert

The exhibition "Aller au désert" by Raphaëlle Benzimra, held at Jousse Entreprise, Paris, from March 12 to April 18, 2026, features a new body of oil paintings on wood and canvas. The works explore a contemporary interpretation of the hermit figure and the voluntary solitude of saints in their mystical quests.

The paintings, often small in scale, invite close viewing and contemplation. They blend diverse influences, from Islamic calligraphy and Byzantine mosaics to Japanese yokai and contemporary references. Benzimra uses pure colors and precise application to depict figures such as saints, athletes, and mythological characters, transforming solitude into a gesture of love. The exhibition is accompanied by a text from art historian Raphaël Bories.