Renowned French artist Claude Lalanne collaborates with Louisa Guinness Gallery to present Butterflies et Bijoux, an exhibition showcasing a curation of over 50 years of work.
Opening its doors to the public this Thursday, 9 June, the exhibition presents both quintessential and unseen pieces by the artist. This includes works such as her 1967 Empreinte Series created with one of the greatest names in fashion, French designer Yves Saint Laurent, as well as her iconic collection Les Lalannes, which she collaborated with her husband, François-Xavier Lalanne, when she was under his tutorship.
But the highlight of this upcoming exhibition is the exclusive Butterflies et Bijoux, featuring small, intricate jewellery pieces, either sculpted and crafted. Find elements of surrealism and fantasy in this collection as the French artist explores and presents works of flora and fauna — such as snails with fingers for heads, shells as spoons, rabbits in roughs, and butterflies for the wrist, neck, and hair.
Using an electroplating technique, Lalanne worked on real organic materials (sometimes even from her own garden) and submerged them in copper sulphate to create a metallic replica of an original object, fossilising and preserving its beauty.
Butterflies et Bijoux — Claude Lalanne
Louisa Guinness Gallery
9 June — 29 July 2016
First FLoor, 45 Conduit Street
London W1S 2YN
T: (0) 207 494 4664
Image opener: Clockwise from top: Bague en Fleur XXI ring; Bague en Fleur XXV ring; Bague en Fleur XXIX
All images courtesy of Louisa Guinness Gallery
