Engraving and sculpture
Engraving and sculpture are the most widespread art forms in Les Landes. The best-known artist-sculptor is undoubtedly Charles Despiau. Born in Mont-de-Marsan in 1874, he enjoyed great success between the wars. After training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he became Rodin's collaborator and a friend of Maillol. In 1927, an exhibition was organized in New York: a consecration for him. Unfortunately, the masterpiece of his career remained unfinished. Today, his sculptures are exhibited in several American museums, notably in San Francisco and Chicago, but most of his work can be found in his hometown, at the Musée Despiau-Wlérick. This unique venue in France is dedicated to figurative sculpture of the early 21stcentury , with the artist in the spotlight. Despiau's name is joined by that of another Montois sculptor: Robert Wlérick. The Musée Montois offers a remarkable setting, at the confluence of two rivers, the Douze and the Midou, with a breathtaking view of Mont-de-Marsan. In addition to Despiau's sculptures, the museum is home to creations by Édouard Cazaux, another native of the area, born in Cauneille. This sculptor and ceramist is known for his Art Deco works, ceramic decors and earthenware figurines based on the myth of Adam and Eve. The artist also worked in stoneware, terracotta and bronze.
Another original visit not to be missed: The Forest of Contemporary Art in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park (www.laforetdartcontemporain.com), part of which can be discovered in Sabres. The forest hides 27 atypical works, as well as a dozen ongoing projects. What better way to combine nature and culture!
The paint
Two painters are the pride of the department: The first, Gaston Larrieu (born in Eugénie-les-Bains, died in Saint-Paul-lès-Dax), was very attached to the region, frequenting other local artists such as André Lhote and writer Pierre Benoit. Most of his work was devoted to Landes landscapes, and he illustrated Maurice Genevoix's Amour des Landes. The second, born in Mont-de-Marsan, is Louis Anselme Longa. A member of the Orientalist movement, religious painting played an important role in his career, and some of his works can be seen in places of worship such as the Saint-Jacques church in Tartas. After a stay in Algeria, he settled in the Landes capital, opening his studio on rue de Saint-Sever and now rue Gambetta.
Street art
Urban art, or street art, is increasingly invading our towns and villages. As you stroll through the Landes region, keep your eyes peeled for frescoes, sometimes hidden, sometimes exhibited, all over the urban landscape.
In Dax, on the walls of the tourist office, on the Place de la Fontaine Chaude, on the Cours du Maréchal Foch, colors are taking over the space! The Institut du Thermalisme in particular has been given a new look by SupaKitch and Koralie, a duo of artists who have totally reinvented street art. The artists blend giant herbariums and colorful, geometric Art Deco-style frescoes to create absolutely remarkable works. This mesmerizing work goes far beyond the image of the graffiti artist and his spray can: collage, stencils, paint... It was during the Muralis festival that this work, among many others, was integrated into the urban space.
In Hossegor, Dominique Antony's immense wave has become a popular mural in the town. A true ode to the ocean and surfing in the Landes region, it can be found along the promenade from the Place des Landais.
In Seignosse, the association "Le MUR de Seignosse" (Modulable - Urbain - Réactif) is behind the metamorphosis of a town wall - next to the Halles de la Mairie - to promote urban art. Every three months since 2023, a new artist has come to decorate a wall with his or her world.
Finally, you may pass by one of the many works by local painter and illustrator Élodie Perrier. Passionate about nature and surf culture, the artist - under the pseudonym Lost in Land - launched her mural career in 2020 and has been creating sublime, colorful decorations ever since. She has notably decorated the wall of the Maison Océane in Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, promotes her art during the Little Festival in Seignosse and also decorates the walls of numerous local stores..
The Little Festival is the ideal place to meet these urban artists: during 5 days of music in Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton, street art is showcased with live performances! In 2023, in addition to Élodie Perrier, the artists Mr Blonde, Russ and Woizo created magnificent works. In 2024, the festival welcomes Les Filles du Surf, Marie Pressmar and artist Primal.
Photography
What better environment for photographers than Les Landes? The Landes countryside, with its beaches, forests, countryside and gentle landscapes, inspires photographers from all horizons. The origins of La Grande Lande, with its green, empty horizons punctuated by the silhouettes of wading shepherds, have influenced a number of artists.
Such was the case of Félix Arnaudin, an ethnologist, linguist, historian, writer and photographer born in Labouheyre at the end of the 19th century. He was the first to document the native Haute-Lande through collections of proverbs, Gascon songs and photographs of landscapes, dwellings and Landes farmers and shepherds.
Today, his house in Labouheyre has become La Maison de la Photographie des Landes - labeled Maison des Illustres - a fine exhibition and creative photography venue for the department that has been in existence for over 20 years, where nearly 35 exhibitions have been organized, including one each year dedicated to Félix Arnaudin.
If you'd like to admire some fine photography, you can also turn to the galleries. At the Maison des 3 Poiriers in Onesse-Laharie, you can discover the photographs of artist Bertrand Bouët-Willaumez, inspired by the Landes forest and ocean. In his art gallery in Hossegor, Ilan Benattar showcases his photographs of landscapes and abandoned places across the Landes, which he sublimates in a single shot. In Lit-et-Mixte, the Espèce d'Espace hosts a succession of photography exhibitions by artists such as Elsa Beaumont, Paul D'Arcangela, Cécile Ossant and Bruno Toffano.
