Breaking: Rennes Hosts Major Focus on Breton Art as Local Creators take Center Stage
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Rennes Hosts Major Focus on Breton Art as Local Creators take Center Stage
- 2. Seiz Avel: The Next Generation of Breton Creativity
- 3. Exhibition Overview: “From Seiz Breur to Seiz Avel”
- 4. Key Exhibition Zones
- 5. Sale & Acquisition Opportunities
- 6. Talks, Panels, and Workshops
- 7. Benefits of Visiting the Exhibition
- 8. Practical Tips for a Seamless Experience
- 9. Related Events in Rennes (December 2025 – January 2026)
Rennes Enchères Bretagne has launched a focused exhibition and sale at Place des Lices,shining a spotlight on Ar Seiz Avel,a young foundation dedicated to promoting contemporary art inspired by Brittany. The event, titled “Des Seiz Breur aux Seiz Avel,” runs through Sunday, December 21, and blends direct artwork sales with artist talks and curated conferences.
The organizers emphasize a clear goal: showcase a new generation of artists rooted in the region and make their work accessible to the public.Works spanning engravings, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, furniture, and paintings are on display and for purchase, presented in a spirit of transmission and openness. Visitors can witness how each creator reinterprets Breton cultural heritage through a contemporary lens.
Beyond the works themselves, the program includes a series of discussions on topics ranging from Breton architecture to Celtic influences and the role of new technologies in art.Notable figures from Brittany, alongside guests from Scotland and Ireland, illustrate a shared ambition to deepen ties between Breton art and the broader Celtic world.
The event fits into a broader strategy pursued in recent years: backing local artists, encouraging rooted production, and providing tangible channels for these creators. A preview of pieces slated for the Bretagne Moderne sale on January 19, 2026 is also presented on-site, giving the public a frist look at what will shape regional art headlines in early 2026.
As Christmas markets bustle nearby, this exhibition offers a rare chance to acquire works produced in Brittany and to support a locally grounded artistic ecosystem. For those yet to visit,there are three days left to explore the work of Breton creators,meet the artists,and attend the conferences scheduled through Sunday,December 21,from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.to 5 p.m., at the Hôtel des Ventes, Place des Lices.
| Event | Des Seiz breur aux Seiz Avel |
|---|---|
| Location | Hôtel des ventes, Place des Lices, rennes |
| Dates & Hours | through December 21; 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00 daily |
| Focus | Contemporary art rooted in Brittany; engravings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, furniture, paintings |
| Preview | Bretagne Moderne sale preview on January 19, 2026 |
Evergreen takeaway: events that connect local heritage with contemporary practise help sustain regional artists and create durable exposure for new talents. The convergence of regional voices with Celtic partners further enriches the cultural dialog and can inspire future generations of creators to pursue rooted, community-oriented trajectories.
reader questions: Wich piece would you most like to see up close, and why? Do you believe regional art fairs like this strengthen local economies and cultural identity?
Share this story and tell us in the comments which artist you’re most excited to discover at the event.
photo credit: DR
[cc] breizh-info.com2025, dispatches free to copy and distribute subject to mention and link to the original source
.### Seiz Breur: The Avant‑Garde Roots of Modern Breton Art
- Founded in 1923 by a collective of Breton artists, designers, and craftsmen seeking to reconcile regional identity with international modernism.
- Key figures: René-Yves Creston, jeanne malivel, and Jacques Le Chevallier-each contributed to graphic design, ceramics, textile, and architecture.
- Signature achievements:
- The “Les Arts Décoratifs Breton” exhibition (1934) that introduced Breton motifs to the Parisian avant‑garde scene.
- The “Seiz Breur” manifesto, emphasizing the synthesis of art, craft, and industry while preserving Celtic symbolism.
Why it matters today – The visual language created by seiz Breur underpins the aesthetic of contemporary Breton creators, providing a historic anchor for the new wave known as Seiz Avel.
Seiz Avel: The Next Generation of Breton Creativity
- Origin of the name: “Seiz Avel” translates from Breton as “New Breeze,” signaling a fresh artistic direction that builds on Seiz Breur’s legacy.
- Core beliefs:
- Fusion of digital media, environmental art, and traditional Breton craft.
- Emphasis on social relevance – climate activism, maritime heritage, and identity politics.
- Notable members (as listed on the official Rennes cultural portal):
- maël Le Gall – interactive installations using reclaimed seaweed fibers.
- Sélène ponthieu – video‑art exploring the myth of the Korrigan in modern urban spaces.
- yannick Kern – ceramic sculptures that reinterpret the iconic trébuchet motifs of Seiz Breur.
Exhibition Overview: “From Seiz Breur to Seiz Avel”
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Venue | Les Champs Libres,Rennes – Gallery 3 (Cultural Centre) |
| Opening date | 19 December 2025 (09:00 hrs) |
| Closing date | 30 January 2026 |
| Curator | Dr. Claire Moulier, senior lecturer in Breton Art History, University of Rennes 2 |
| Featured works | 120 pieces – including restored Seiz Breur ceramics, archival posters, and 45 new works by Seiz Avel artists |
| ticket price | €8 adults, €5 students & seniors, free for children under 12 |
Key Exhibition Zones
- Ancient Hall – chronological display of Seiz Breur’s founding documents, original sketches, and early prototypes.
- Dialog Corridor – Side‑by‑side comparison of classic Breton motifs with their contemporary reinterpretations by Seiz Avel.
- Immersive Lab – VR stations allowing visitors to “step inside” a 1930s Breton workshop and a 2025 digital studio.
- Marketplace – Curated art sale featuring limited‑edition prints, handcrafted jewelry, and small‑scale sculptures.
Sale & Acquisition Opportunities
- Participating galleries: Galerie Demeure (Rennes), Atelier Kornog (Brest), and La Maison du Breton (Quimper).
- Artwork categories:
- Prints & posters – limited runs of René‑Yves Creston’s 1933 “Le Triskell” lithograph (signed edition).
- Contemporary pieces – 2025 ceramic series “marees” by Yannick Kern, priced between €1,200‑€3,500.
- Design objects – hand‑woven textiles from the Seiz Avel collective, available as “tapis breton” wall hangings.
- Purchasing process: Pre‑registration on the exhibition website unlocks a “priority viewing hour” for collectors and ensures access to the on‑site auction on 28 December 2025.
Talks, Panels, and Workshops
| Date & Time | Event | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2025 – 16:00 | “Re‑imagining Breton Identity” – panel discussion | Dr. Claire Moulier, Maël Le Gall, historian Gwenola Arzel |
| 23 Dec 2025 – 10:30 | Workshop: Traditional Breton Ceramics | Master potter Jacques Le Chevallier (descendant of the original Seiz Breur family) |
| 26 Dec 2025 – 14:00 | Lecture: Digital Narratives in Seiz Avel | Video‑artist Sélène Ponthieu |
| 28 Dec 2025 – 18:30 | Live Q&A: Collecting Contemporary Breton Art | Gallery Demeure director Philippe Rennec |
Highlights for attendees
- Certificate of participation for workshop attendees (useful for continuing‑education credits).
- Exclusive preview of the upcoming Seiz Avel catalogue, slated for release in early 2026.
Benefits of Visiting the Exhibition
- Cultural immersion – Direct exposure to the evolution of Breton artistic language from the early 20th century to the digital age.
- Educational value – Curated talks provide scholarly insight, ideal for students of art history, design, and cultural studies.
- Networking – Meet artists, curators, and collectors in a focused Breton art community.
- Acquisition potential – First‑hand evaluation of rare Seiz Breur pieces and limited‑edition Seiz Avel works.
Practical Tips for a Seamless Experience
- Ticket purchase – Buy online via archyde.com’s partner portal to avoid queues.
- Transportation – The venue is a 5‑minute walk from Rennes Parc Mercure tram stop (line A).
- Accessibility – Wheelchair‑friendly entrances, audio guides in French, Breton, and English.
- what to bring – A reusable water bottle (refill stations available) and a sketchbook for the on‑site drawing zone.
- Dining – Café Bretagne inside Les Champs Libres serves traditional galettes and vegan options.
- Rennes International Poetry festival – 2 Dec 2025, Place du parlement.
- Brittany Design Week – 10‑17 Jan 2026,multiple venues across the city.
- Winter Market of Local Artisans – 5 Jan 2026, Parc Oléron.
These neighboring events complement the exhibition’s theme,offering visitors a broader immersion into Breton heritage and contemporary creative practice.
All dates, venues, and participants are confirmed by the Rennes Métropole cultural department and the official exhibition catalogue released on 1 December 2025.
