Antoine Knibily1920-2021From the inspiration of pure human experience and without formal training, Antoine Knibily created paintings in a style that is both unique and uplifting. Swirling complexities of color and instinctual rhythmic patterns join in the expression of one man’s tremendous personal emotion. This very physically demanding and intricate symphony of oils possesses a strong sense of three dimensionality: their thick, passionate application lend the artist’s paintings an originality which cannot be contested. Born in the town of Colmar in the Alsace region of France on June 14,1920, Antoine Knibily was trained for only one profession: to be a priest. The priesthood brought him as a young man to live in Chile among the poorest of the poor on the banks of the Malpocho River. After sixteen years of selflessly serving others, he left Chile for New York where he began to search for joy by painting. He drew inspiration from the fishermen and poor children of Chile and enjoyed creating works full of joy, happiness, and the sun. As an artist, Knibily remained devoted to the people of Chile and donated the proceeds of his art sales to a relief fund for orphaned children in Chile. Anyone admiring Antoine Knibily’s work cannot help but draw certain comparisons to the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. While there are similarities, Knibily pointed out the canvas fully loaded with details and three-dimensionality make his work unique. As an untrained artist, Knibily painted by instinct and temperament. “I try to create things that are so fantastic that everybody will admire them and give the glory to God and not the artist.” Antoine Knibily’s paintings are in the permanent collection of the Petit Palais Museum in Geneva, Switzerland; they have also been shown extensively throughout Japan where he held many successful one-person and group exhibitions. In addition to the Petit Palais Museum’s collection of over eighty of the artist’s works, Knibily held the honor of being among only two living artists to have their work in the fine museum’s collection. Please visit Griffith Art Gallery to view the collection of original works by this incredible artist.