MARSEILLE, FRANCE.- Galerie Patrice Leoni presents A Zinedine Zidane Homage, on view through November 17, 2007. This exhibition highlights the latest work of the contemporary artist Philippe Simille. This first independent exhibition can be seen at Patrice Léoni Gallery in Marseilles, the native city of the famous football player.

Philippe Simille is known in France as a creator of raw art. This self-taught artist is unusual and his works are difficult to classify. Their influence is altogether naive and traditional. Philippe Simille breaks with his past as an author and a composer. However, the rhythm and the cultural mix in his works are no coincidence: They remind us of the musician he once was in Montmartre where he lived for several years.

In fact, he surprises himself and the public: Amongst many interesting aspects of his works, lets mention the density of the subject that contrasts with the harmony in the compositions and the amount of space around the numerous little figures, the funny stereotypes such as the little devil flanked by a malicious angel, his way to invite the spectator to play his part as a storyteller and make up earthy stories about Guignol (Punch and Judy) or about the sudden transformation of a cowboy who becomes black.

I met him in the French Alps where he is now living. There, he gathers pictures of a busy, lively world and of struggle and cruelty. Though, it is his humoristic view on life and his joie de vivre that catch our attention. Here is an artist to be discovered.