Dordogne: on foot and in paint in the salt desert of Uyuni to raise awareness

However, the young man, originally from Terrasson-Lavilledieu, in Dordogne, had a rather bad start in life, with wobbly health despite a good family balance. In school failure, Léo became a strategist when it came to video games, until from this virtual world, a window opens on reality. “I say I went from zero to hero,” he says.

Unusual places

By making his life a game, Léo Jolly has finally found a way to surpass himself in every difficulty. During his studies, the young man began to travel, to challenge himself, and above all to draw. “What if art could be a universal means of communication? he wondered. In each of the cities he could visit, he began to organize artistic workshops in unusual places, such as underground car parks or supermarkets. “My goal is to bring wonder,” he explains. When we stop marveling, we stop believing in life. »

Thanks to the Erasmus program, Léo Jolly went to Denmark, then to Bolivia. “This country has transformed me,” he says. It is home to the oldest populations in the world and I discovered a spiritual world there. Before, I used to draw in watercolors or pastels, and I wanted to create a technique to represent it…” Each year, before working the land, the Aymara community uses fire to awaken the Pachamama, goddess of fertility.

“I wanted a bigger project, which could give back to the Aymaras what they had given me”

Léo Jolly then produced a whole series of flame paintings to translate the magical universe of the Uyuni salt desert, which marked him to the point of wanting to return there. “I wanted a bigger project, which could give back to the Aymaras what they had given me,” says the Périgourdin.

1000 km on foot

Because behind the incredible landscapes and the spirituality, there is the reality and the global warming that these peoples of the salt desert see coming, with the water that is running out. “One day, a farmer told me that he felt he was responsible for this situation and that it was becoming unbearable. He was perhaps going to have to leave, while his ancestors had resisted… My project is just to come back with paint to share moments of wonder and ask them three questions: what are their dreams, their fears and their moments of happiness? »

During his journey, during which he will cross the salt desert of Uyuni on foot for 1,000 km, the Terrassonnais will be followed by a cameraman with the aim of making a documentary whose title would be “I will go paint the dreams of the desert”. .

His departure is scheduled for February 2023. Until then, the explorer artist seeks to gather funds and sponsors to follow him. A kitty has been opened on the Globe Dreamers website (type “I will paint the dreams of the desert” in the “Explore” section).

Dordogne: on foot and in paint in the salt desert of Uyuni to raise awareness