Violaine Laveaux
artwork
Recent artworks
Hare plate, sculpture, 2023
Stoneware, enamel
Ø25 x Ht. 18 cm
One-of-kind piece
Spinning hare, sculpture 2023
Stoneware, enamel
24 x 20 cm
One-of-kind piece
Metamorphosis Wolf, sculpture, 2023
Porcelain, enamel, plant material, paper porcelain
18 x 13 cm
One-of-a-kind piece
Moon plate, bust, 2023
Porcelain, steel wool, rust juice, plant matter, paper porcelain
Ø23 cm
One-of-a-kind piece
Moon plate, hand, 2023
Porcelain, steel wool, rust juice, plant matter, paper porcelain
Ø23 cm
One-of-a-kind piece
Blind Mirrors series, 2023
Porcelain, rust juice and steel wool
Height varies from 15 cm to 30 cm
One-of-a-kind piece
Blind Mirrors series, 2023 / Installation
Porcelain, rust juice and steel wool
Height varies from 15 cm to 30 cm
One-of-a-kind piece
Blind Mirrors series, 2023
Porcelain, rust juice and steel wool
Height varies from 15 cm to 30 cm
One-of-a-kind piece
TEXT
About
Born in Bordeaux in 1957. Lives and works in Carcassonne.
Visual artist / Artist-in-residence / Set designer
‘As an artist and daughter of a sailor, I have shaped my perspective through waiting, absence and loss. I grew up in the garden, like someone standing on the quayside scanning the horizon, observing the almost nothingness that decides and shapes.’
Violaine Laveaux reflects on our place in the universe and the cosmos through the scientific and collective imaginations specific to the plant, mineral and animal worlds, thus blurring the boundaries between past and present. She stages her work, most often in the form of installations, in places that are sometimes incongruous, often enchanting, always intimate: gardens, writers’ houses, chapels, abbeys, museums, natural history museums, stories intertwining personal histories, tales and mythologies, and where objects extracted from their everyday lives, ‘world objects’ or ‘poetic reaction’ talismans or protectors, recurring archetypal symbols in her approach: ballerinas, shoes, hands, gloves, seeds, spoons, crows and bowls naturally find their place.
She works alone and attaches particular importance to the use of her hands and innate gestures. The relationship to time, space and memory are essential elements. Her practice is multifaceted, encompassing drawings, sculptures and photographs.
Her artistic approach favours natural materials – branches, pigments, raw clay, talc, wax, charcoal, paraffin – and reveals the links between the mineral world, born of the earth, and the living world, the organic, animal and plant kingdoms. The notions of reuse and economy of means are essential and naturally impose themselves in her approach.
An artist-researcher/gatherer, with or without a garden, in the heart of cities or the countryside, as she travels, she carefully collects, gathers and preserves these fragments of nature. Her current research focuses on herbariums.
Her installations are most often experienced as spaces of well-being and harmony.
About the series Les miroirs aveugles (Blind Mirrors)
“They were created specifically for the Lodève Museum as part of the Métamorphoses (Metamorphoses) exhibition (2023). They refer to the myth of Gorgon. They are made of porcelain saturated with steel wool and rust juice.
The mirror is an object that is inseparable from the world of fairy tales.
In the myth of Medusa, the mirror is a key element. It appears in the form of the mirror-shield used by Perseus to defeat her. She dies petrified by her own gaze reflected in Perseus’ mirrored shield. Perseus takes care not to look directly at the Gorgon, but only at her image reflected in the polished mirror of his shield, so as not to be turned to stone himself.
The moment when Medusa looks at herself and is petrified is therefore also the moment when Perseus looks at her as she is petrified.
Their convex surfaces are reminiscent of witch mirrors, which were very popular in the 15th century. They were believed to have magical powers. They later became known as ‘witch’s eyes’ and were used as a superstitious protection for homes.
The figure of Medusa also has a magical aspect. As a talisman, she protects humans from the evil eye.
Portrait of artist Violaine Laveaux in her studio – Photo by Sylvie Romieu
CV
CURRICULUM VITAE
Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions and residencies
2025 Natures fabuleuses, Musée des Beaux-arts&muséum d’histoire naturelle, Gaillac
2024 Tout ce que je sais de toi tient dans le creux d’une main, Galerie La Menuiserie, Rodez
Jaurés intime, Bessoulet, la maison de Jean Jaurès, Villefranche d’Albi, Maison des Illustres
2023 Métamorphose, Dialogue avec Paul Dardé, Musee de Lodeve, texte critique Marie Deparis-Yafil
2022 Je chasse sur mon ancre, Espace Arts&Rencontres Roger Broncy, Port la Nouvelle
La chambre des sources, Galerie Regent-Reychler, Saignon
2021 Où vont les objets la nuit, La Menuiserie, Rodez
2020 Le cabinet de Piranese, Musée de Gajac, Villeneuve-sur-Lot
2019 Mémoires d’enfance, Abbaye Ecole de Sorèze
2017 Une cuillère est une empreinte, Galerie Ste Catherine, Rodez
Jardiner la mer, Hôtel de Rochegude, Nuit Pastel, Albi
Still life-les Ailes de service, Abbaye de Flaran
2015 Résidence au Musée/Centre du Verre, Carmaux
Résidence Galerie Kamila Regent, Saignon
La loba y las manos de arcilla, Centro de Historias, Saragosse, Espagne L’orso e la luna, Galerie La Menuiserie, Rodez
2014 Constellation du corbeau, Musée-Château d’Annecy, Annecy, commissariat Lucie Cabanes
2012 3 temps, 3 notes, cabinet de curiosités olfactives, Domaine de La Roche Jagu
L’ autel aux corbeaux, Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature, commissariat Claude d’Anthenaise
2010 Le sentier des loups,Ty Mad la Galerie, Douarnenez
13 loups&une loupe, Château du Tremblay, Crac Fontenoy, Fontenoy
2009 Le nombre de mes minutes, Château-Musée du Cayla, Andillac, salle permanente
Constellation 2, la LLoba, Musée de Cahors Henri-Martin, Cahors
2008 Constellation du loup, Atelier D’estienne, Pont-scorff, Morbihan
Vertige n°3 / jardin blanc, Centro Cultural de Castejon de Sos, Espagne
2007 Regard d’encre, Musée de Gajac, Villeneuve-sur-Lot
Cooksonia n°2, Institut Français /Zimmer Galerie Kattenturm, Brême, Allemagne
Cahier vert, Musée du Cayla /dans le cadre de Cinéfeuille, Andillac
2006 B comme bambou, Domaine de Lacroix Laval, Marcy l’Etoile
Broder le jour, domaine de la Roche Jagu, Ploëzal
Y cooksonia, 100 jours au Jardin Botanique, Forum des Arts et de La Culture, Talence
Écriture d’herbe, Espace Culturel Bertin Poirée, Paris
2003 Constellation du centaure, Château-Musée du Cayla, Andillac
Group exhibitions and residencies / selection
2025 Herbier, Légendes botaniques, Château de Menthon St Bernard
2024 En robe!, Abbaye de L’ Escaladieu
2023 Enchanter la terre, Château du Rivau
2022 Nature morte à la canope, Laniakea #2, Fondation La Ruche – Seydoux, Paris 15e, commissariat Marie Deparis-Yafil
2021 Natures mortes, Galerie Valérie Delaunay
Bêtes curieuses, Abbaye de L’ Escaladieu
Le goût de l’art, l’art du goût, acte 2, Château du Rivau
2020 Le goût de l’art, l’art du goût, acte 1, Château du Rivau
2017 Il était une fois, la vie de château, Château du Rivau
2016 J’ai 10 ans, Musée/Centre du Verre, Carmaux
25 ans de l’Art dans les chapelles, Galerie Jean Fournier, Paris
2012 Bêtes, monstres et bestioles, Château de Tarascon, Tarascon
2011 L’autel aux corbeaux, Château de Castelnau Bretenoux, commissariat Claude d’Anthenaise
2010 Les souliers rouges, Galerie Next Level, Paris
2008 La geste d’un botaniste, Photofolies, la Menuiserie, Rodez
2006 Marcher, Maison des Arts Georges Pompidou, Cajarc, commissariat Martine Michard
Odradek, Abbaye de Beaulieu, K comme Kafka, Ginals, commissariat Gerard Georges Lemaire
2005 Cooksonia, 410 millions d’années, Les Mars de L’art Contemporain, Clermont-Ferrand
2001 Les simples, une écriture d’herbe, L’art dans les Chapelles, Chapelle Saint Gildas
Education / Diplomas / Scholarships
2024 Adagp artistic research grant
2020 AIA Drac Occitanie
2010 Publishing grant, Lot Department
1986 Master’s degree, Ensad, Paris, Art espace, volume option, honours
René Perrot drawing prize, Ensad, Paris
1982 /1984 Accademia di Belle Arti, volume section, Venice
1982 Master’s degree in Fine Arts, Bordeaux III, honours
Public and private collections
Sorèze Abbey School
Rivau Castle
Flaran Abbey
Carmaux Glass Art Museum and Centre
Cayla Castle Museum
FRAM Midi-Pyrénées
Bernard Bachelier/ Domaine de Bassinet
Scenography
Design of temporary and/or permanent exhibition rooms:
Gajac Museum, Villeneuve sur Lot
Ingres Museum, Montauban
Henri Martin Museum, Cahors
Cayla Castle Museum, Andillac
Champollion Museum, Figeac
Nature/Culture creative and research residencies
Development of dew traps with Mr Beyssens, researcher/Opur Association/Domaine de la Roche Jagu, Ploezal/Garden of the Figeac Heritage Department 2016/2006
Nature, culture and society / National Research Seminar, Contemporary Art Centre, Domaine de Kerguéhennec, Bignan, 2002, artist-speaker with Paul-Armand Gette, Erik Samakh, Loïc Touzé
Individual catalogues
Constellation du corbeau, semaine n°359, Analogues, éd. pour l’art contemporain, Arles 2014
Les sandales de Cendrillon, éd.Conseil Général de l’Aveyron 2013
Trois temps, 3 notes, petit cabinet de curiosités olfactives, éd. CG des Côtes d’Armor 2012 Jardins Apostrophes, Un Autre Reg’Art 2010
(In) visibles jardiniers publics, Service du patrimoine de Figeac, Grapho 12 éd. 2010
Reg’arts de paysages, Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy, Grapho 12ed. 2010 Jardiniers, Domaine départemental de la Roche Jagu, éd. Filigranes 2008
Y cooksonia, 100 jours au Jardin Botanique, Forum des Arts et de La Culture, 2006
1% command
2010 Y voyelle première, Capdenac-Gare Library, Lot / Philippe Bergés
Group catalogues
En robe!, Abbaye de l’Escaladieu, 2024
Mémoires d’enfance, Sylvie Mouysset et Danièle Tosato-Rigo, actes du colloque, Abbaye école de Sorèze, éd. midi-pyrénéennes 2023
Enchanter la terre, Château du Rivau, Druckerei Kettler éd. 2023
Le goût de l’art, l’art du goût, Château du Rivau,Druckerei Kettler éd. 2020 /2021
Légendaires des corbières orientales, les carnets du Parc /Parc NR de la Narbonnaise, 2020/2021
Cahiers des résidences du Musee/Centre d’Art du Verre, Carmaux / Ed. 2016
Bêtes Off, ed.du Patrimoine, Centre des Monuments Nationaux 2011, commissariat Claude d’Anthenaise
Ces artistes qui ont choisi le LOT, Annie Briet, Un Autre Reg’Art, 2010
Les mots du Cayla, Petit cabinet de curiosités littéraires et poétiques, Un Autre Reg’Art, 2009
Gueules de voix, André Minvielle, éd. Privat 2008
Zen et parties de dames: les esprits du lieu, Art, culture et territoires ruraux, Michel Duvigneau, educagri éditions, 2002
Nature, culture&société, nouvelles scènes, nouveaux publics, Xve Entretiens Jacques Cartier, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Lyon, 2002
L’Art dans les chapelles, art contemporain et patrimoine religieux, 2001
artworks
Overview artworks
Installations
2025 Natures fabuleuses / Fabulous Natures, Museum of Fine Arts & Natural History Museum, Gaillac
2024 Tout ce que je sais de toi tient dans le creux d’une main / Everything I know about you fits in the palm of my hand, La Menuiserie Gallery, Rodez
2023 Métamorphose / Metamorphosis, Dialogue with Paul Dardé, Lodeve Museum, critical text by Marie Deparis-YafilJaurès
2012 L’ autel aux corbeaux / The altar of crows, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Paris, curated by Claude d’Anthenaise
Copyright ADAGP 2025 Violaine Laveaux