Alain Pauzié(b. 1936) was born in the Aveyron region, France. He grew up in Albi, where his family moved in 1942. He was keen on rugby, studied law and political science in Toulouse, and married in 1961. He then went to work at the Atomic Energy Commission near Paris.

He started to draw in 1967 on perforated printing paper and envelopes. Although he drew for his own satisfaction at the beginning, he soon felt the need to exhibit his work and share his ideas and diffi culties with others. He had his fi rst show in 1976. The next year he met Jean Dubuffet, with whom he had been corresponding for three years.

Pauzié’s world swarms with symbols and fi gures with great graphic power, intensifi ed by sharply contrasting colours. He draws with ballpoint, felt pen, and paint on envelopes and salvaged material such as shoe soles and plastic bottles. He also carves bone with a dental drill.