LAURENCE PLUMIER
(°1968, Liège (B), lives and works in Antwerp)
The work on paper by Laurence Plumier is striking in its uniqueness in colour. She gives colourful masked figures their own poetic life on paper. With a healthy dose of humour, she also creates a very personal visual language in her textile works. She draws her inspiration from the power of fashion, film, subcultures and fairy tales in which the magical aura of clothing is emphasised.
Starting from 'pure' thread, Plumier constructs three-dimensional crocheted works that acquire sculptural properties. The texture of these works plays an important role in this, in which a transformation takes place from the soft yarn to a constructed pattern.
About her iconic work 'L'armure de Jeanne d'Arc' Plumier wrote:
"The crocheted harness with its intricate patterns and tactile, handmade character is a visual metaphor for the complex layers of Joan of Arc's identity. Crochet, on the other hand, is often associated with feminine domesticity and emerges as a medium to (inter)weave stories of transgression, reinterpretation and self-deformation.
For the exhibition "Ladies first", I was inspired by this iconic figure and her historical role, which is laden with contradictory meanings. At the time, a quintessentially male role that was whispered to her by heavenly voices. She invites us to reflect on gender, faith and the space we create for deviant forms of identity.
It is precisely the contrast between the vulnerability of the garment on the one hand and the hard immovability of the harness on the other that creates tension. What is striking is the absurdity of the useless aspect of a crocheted harness that offers no protection and emphasizes the vulnerability of the clothing. How a garment originally modeled on the male body was transformed in my practice into a harness inspired by the characteristics of the female body."
Laurence Plumier holds Master 's degree in Fine Arts, Sint-Lucas Antwerp (2010) and studied Fine Arts (Painting) pat Royal Academy of Antwerp (1986-1990). Recent exhibitions include: 2024 Groupshow at Dingen Die niet verkopen, Antwerp (B), Solo show ‘Drôles d’ oiseaux’ SECONDroom, Antwerp (B), Sculpture Ball curated by Fleur de Roeck & Eva Van Bemmelen, Antwerp (B), ‘Kleine sculptuur’ CCZwanenberg, Heist op de Berg (B), ‘Signé anonyme’ centre OYOU culture Marchin (B), Group show ‘An ideal for living’, Second Room during Antwerp Art, Antwerp (B), Solo show Vitrine K1 Warp Art, curated by Stef Van Belllingen, Sint-Niklaas (B), Group show ‘The Poodle show’, Westend Project, Den Haag (NL)
Curriculum Vitae
Studies
2008-2010 Master Fine Arts, Sint-Lucas Antwerp
2004-2007 Aggregation on Masterlevel, Royal Academy of Antwerp
1986-1990 Fine Arts (Painting), Royal Academy of Antwerp
Selection of exhibitions
Solo & duo shows
2024 Solo ‘Drôles d’ oiseaux’ SECONDroom, curated by Christophe Floré & Tamara Beheydt, Antwerp (B)
2023 Solo Vitrine K1 Warp Art, curated by Stef Van Belllingen, Sint-Niklaas (B)
2017 duo met Caroline Böckhoff 'Auf die Schminke, Fertig, Los', Pretoria gallery, Antwerp 5b)
2016 Un peu de légèreté, Pretoria gallery, Antwerp (B)
2012 'Est-ce un signe' duo with Chris Meulemans, Factor 44, Antwerp (B)
2009 Hoogglans, Antwerp (B)
Selected group Exhibitions
2024 Groupshow ‘Disarming Design from Palestine’ for Dingen Die niet verkopen, Antwerp (B)
Sculpture Ball curated by Fleur de Roeck & Eva Van Bemmelen, Bar Publico, Antwerp (B)
2023 ‘Kleine sculptuur’ CCZwanenberg, Heist op de Berg (B)
‘Signé anonyme’ centre OYOU culture Marchin (B)
‘An ideal for living’, Second Room during Antwerp Art, Antwerp (B)
2022 ‘Le Caniche ivre/The Poodleshow’, Westend Project, Den Haag (NL)
2022 3 24 51 76, Krugerplein 13, Antwerp (B)
2019 ‘Kleine sculptuur’, CC Zwaneberg, Heist op den Berg (B)
2016 'Het knagen van het niets aan de exhistentie', Kunstkring Jacques Gorus, curated by Christian Van Haesendonck, Antwerp (B)
2013 'Shame' Pianofabriek, Brussels (B)
2012 'Zonder totel', Hofke van Chantraine, Oud-Turnhout (B)
Canvascollectie, BOZAR, Brussels (B)
2010 'Monument, Error one gallery, Middelheim Museum, Antwerp (B)
'L'abondance', curated by Koen Theys, Antwerp (B)