​​Born 1966, Paris 

Lives and works in Martinique

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Dora Vital is a French artist whose work focuses on the atmospheric qualities of light, explored through layered compositions in pastel, oil, and acrylic. Though her creative journey began years ago, her work has gained renewed visibility in recent years thanks to a growing presence in major contemporary Caribbean exhibitions, particularly those organized by the Fondation Clément.

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Born in France and based in Martinique (a French Caribbean island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by both European and Creole influences), Vital developed her visual language outside of traditional academic circuits, building a deeply personal and meditative practice. Drawing inspiration from the chiaroscuro and color harmonies of masters like William Turner and Claude Monet, she captures the subtle interplay of light and shadow, creating atmospheres both mysterious and luminous. Her work transcends traditional landscapes (there is no fixed horizon), inviting viewers into immersive worlds shaped by the ever-changing qualities of light throughout the day and night.

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She paints standing, with the canvas laid flat, engaging her entire body in the act of creation. Over time, she has embraced oil pastels as a primary medium for their tactile sensitivity and softness, which resonate with the quiet luminosity at the heart of her work. Colors are chosen intuitively and applied in successive layers, in search of compositional balance between contrast, space, and form.

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Her titles, sometimes drawn from literary fragments, serve as gentle guides rather than fixed narratives, inviting viewers to linger, reflect, and connect with each piece in their own way.

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Long active in the Caribbean art scene, Dora Vital is now emerging onto a broader stage. Her inclusion in curated exhibitions such as Marché d’art and Pictural at the Fondation Clément has marked a turning point, positioning her as a unique and mature voice in contemporary Caribbean abstraction.​​

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​​Selected Solo Exhibitions​​

2023 Luminosité secrète, Villa Chanteclerc, Martinique, France

2017 Rêves d’ailleurs, L.V.A.V, Ducos, Martinique, France

2015 Chemins d’imaginaires, Tropiques Atrium National Stage, Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, France

2014 Révélation, Club Dillon, Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, France

 

Selected Group Exhibitions​

2024 June – August: Marché d'art, Fondation Clément, Martinique, France

2021 – 2022 Mosaïques & Diversités poétiques, Galerie Entre nous, Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, France

2022 April – May: Marché d'art, Fondation Clément, Martinique, France

2019 April – July: Pictural, Fondation Clément, Martinique, France

2017 Pool Art Fair, Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, France​​