Isabelle Nicolas, director of the Estades Gallery in Lyon, was featured as a guest on the "6 Minutes Chrono" program by Lyon Capitale. The dry-humored universe of Philippe Geluck's Le Chat has found a new home along the banks of the Saône River. Through November 15, the Estades Gallery is showcasing a carefully curated selection of works by the Belgian cartoonist, blending humor, philosophy, and references to art history in a remarkable display.

This exhibition coincides with the monumental "Le Chat Strolls" (Le Chat déambule) exhibition currently visible at Parc de la Tête d'Or, which will continue through March next year. The timing of these parallel exhibitions creates a unique cultural moment for Lyon, offering visitors multiple ways to experience Geluck's artistic vision.

"Philippe Geluck is an artist with multiple talents but a very busy schedule," explains Isabelle Nicolas. Between preparing for his museum opening in Brussels, the exhibition at the Maillol Museum, and the release of his 25th album, "the timing was perfect to present ours in parallel," the gallery director continues. The collaboration between the gallery and the artist began years ago when Michel Estades first met Philippe Geluck, and they shared a common desire to prepare an exhibition together.

At the Estades Gallery, visitors can discover "acrylics on canvas, original drawings, screen prints, and sculptures," sometimes presented as scaled-down models of the monumental works visible in the park. The exhibition offers remarkable variety in both techniques and subjects, ensuring that visitors never experience a dull moment. Some sculptures, while not monumental like those in the park, are presented as reduced models measuring 60 or 30 centimeters.

For Isabelle Nicolas, Le Chat's success lies in its dual reading possibilities: "You can experience the exhibition simply by strolling around and being amused, or you can read it with a second, more cultural interpretation. Philippe Geluck has a very deep artistic culture that we find reflected in his works." This approach allows the exhibition to appeal to a broad audience, from children to art enthusiasts, creating an accessibility that spans generations and interests.

The gallery director's personal favorite piece is a work that pays homage to Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man," with the humorous observation that "Leonardo da Vinci hadn't thought of everything." This piece exemplifies Geluck's ability to blend classical art references with contemporary humor, creating works that operate on multiple intellectual levels.

The exhibition features not only humorous punchlines – as humor is always present in Philippe Geluck's work – but also references to great works in art history. Visitors can find bridges and nods to other artists including Soulages, Alechinsky, Mondrian, and da Vinci. This depth of field creates an extraordinary viewing experience that can touch families with children, who are amused by Le Chat, as well as art lovers who will recognize the sophisticated artistic references.

Philippe Geluck's current busy schedule includes multiple high-profile projects. He is preparing for his museum opening scheduled for October 2027 in Brussels, managing the exhibition at the Maillol Museum in Paris, and celebrating the release of his 25th album on October 25. The density of his current activities made the timing of the Lyon exhibitions particularly fortuitous.

The Estades Gallery, located on the Quai Saint-Vincent at number 61, directly across from Saint-Paul station on the banks of the Saône River in Lyon's 1st arrondissement, has already seen tremendous success since opening this past weekend. The gallery experienced large crowds throughout the weekend, demonstrating the strong public interest in Geluck's work.

This dual exhibition approach – combining the intimate gallery setting with the monumental park installation – offers Lyon residents and visitors a comprehensive exploration of Philippe Geluck's artistic universe. The philosophical depth often found in his work, sometimes resembling haiku in its brevity and efficiency, combined with accessible surface-level humor, explains the broad appeal that has made Le Chat a beloved character across multiple generations and cultural backgrounds.