After a short period of study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Nantes, Jean Yves Cousseau travelled to Brazil, the United States and Mexico before settling in Paris. Having been involved in an artistic approach linked to photography for many years, he has experimented with a number of other media and modes of expression through exhibitions, publications and commissions: videos, oxidations, installations, etc. He currently lives and works in the Paris region. He has also created several scenographies and is responsible for the graphic design of numerous catalogues for museums.
He has exhibited in France, Europe and the United States: Royaumont Foundation, Asnières-sur-Oise, 1987; Künstlerhaus Mousonturn and Fotographie Forum, Frankfurt, 1989 and 1997; International Poetry Centre, Marseille, 1991; National Centre for Comics and Images, Angoulême, 1992; French Museum of Photography, Bièvres, 1998; Pennings Gallery, Eindhoven, 1999; La Passerelle, Contemporary Art Centre, Brest, 2000; Luxembourg Museum, Paris, 2001; Pierre Brullé Gallery, Paris, 1999, 2000, 2002; Visivarosi Galéria and Bolt Galéria, Budapest, 1999 and 2005; Pierre Gianadda Foundation, Martigny, 2006; Departmental Museum-Museum, Gap, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2014; Gallery, National Scene, Privas,
2009; Orangerie Museum, Paris, 2009; Coubertin Foundation, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, 2011; European House of Photography, Paris, 2017; Museum of Art and History, Cholet,
2018; Jacques Demy Media Library, “Journey to Nantes”, 2019; Departmental Estate, Chamarande, 2019; French Institute, Chicago, 2020; Depardieu Gallery, Nice, 2020, 2022; Horizon Gallery, Wuhan, 2022; Orbis Pictus Gallery, Paris, 2023; BNF, Paris, 2023.
As well as videos: a tempera, 2002; Still life, rested lives, 2003; Dry word/wet word, 2003; Cloud, 2004; Immersion, 2005; Vestiges, 2006, Survivors, 2010, Putting a hand, 2012…
Some of his works have been acquired by the Rodin Museum, Paris; the Departmental Museum-Museum, Gap; the Coubertin Foundation, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse; the European House of Photography, Paris; the Municipal Library / heritage sector, Nantes; the Departmental Fund of Contemporary Art, Chamarande.
