Nestled along the French Riviera's crystalline coastline, Villefranche-sur-Mer has long captivated artists with its timeless beauty.
I planned on being there in the Fall of 2022 but I had to cut my trip due to a personal tragedy and I wrote about it more in my book 'Long Distance Caregiving'
But I created a series of painting in the 2023 that were based on photographs David captured for me. Some day I will get to visit this place but in the meantime..
My fresh perspective on this Mediterranean paradise through his striking 2023 series, where travel photography transforms into bold abstract compositions that pulse with new energy.
My approach was blending the traditional landscape art with contemporary. Rather than simply documenting Villefranche-sur-Mer's well-photographed vistas, I deconstructs and rebuilds them through his signature abstract reconstruction technique. Each piece begins with a photograph but evolves into something entirely new—familiar yet surprising, rooted in reality yet freed from its constraints.
The result is a collection that captures not just what Villefranche-sur-Mer looks like, but how it feels: the warmth of sun-soaked stone walls, the rhythm of waves against ancient harbors, the intimate maze of medieval streets that wind toward the sea.
The process:
Prabhu's creative process layers meaning onto imagined memory.
Bold geometric abstractions, Unexpected color dialogues, Textural depth that invites viewers to experience the tactile quality of weathered stone and salt air
A Palette Born from Place
The series draws its chromatic inspiration directly from the Mediterranean landscape, but amplifies it through artistic interpretation. Deep cerulean blues merge with sun-bleached golds, while warm terracotta tones dance alongside rich olive greens and soft lavender shadows. These aren't merely the colors of Villefranche-sur-Mer—they're the emotions the place evokes.
Experience the Collection
The complete Villefranche-sur-Mer 2023 series is currently available for viewing at satishfactory.com, where visitors can explore how contemporary abstract art can breathe new life into travel photography. This innovative approach demonstrates the evolving relationship between documentation and interpretation, between the places we visit and the art they inspire.
Prabhu's work reminds us that the most powerful travel art doesn't just show us where we've been—it helps us feel why those places matter.
Series Details:
- Title: Villefranche-sur-Mer 2023
- Medium: Mixed media based on travel photography
- Available: satishfactory.com
- Artist: Satish Prabhu