Juliette Clovis, born in 1978 in Poitiers, France, is a distinguished visual artist currently residing in Bordeaux. With a rich educational background that includes studies in law and the history of art at L’École du Louvre, as well as graphic design at L’École des Gobelins, Clovis has cultivated a unique artistic voice that bridges contemporary art and traditional craftsmanship.
Since 2015, Clovis has dedicated herself to the art of porcelain, a medium that allows her to explore the intricate relationship between life and death through the lens of nature’s cycles. Her work is characterized by a dialogue between classical forms and modern expressions, deeply influenced by Asian philosophies, particularly Buddhism and Taoism. This philosophical grounding informs her exploration of life’s perpetual cycles and the quest for balance amid contrasts.
Her latest series, The Molting Season, marks a significant evolution in her artistic practice. This series features porcelain tapestries that retain the signature porcelain scales of her previous works while expanding into new dimensions of expression. The piece titled “End of the Second Movement” exemplifies this transformation, drawing inspiration from nature’s constant changes and the idea of seasonal transitions. The tapestry, adorned in shades of green with copper accents, evokes the imagery of a lush canopy in flux, symbolizing the passage of time and inevitable transformation.
Clovis’s sculptures, often composed of thousands of meticulously crafted porcelain scales, oscillate between the realms of myth and reality. They provoke thought and emotion, inviting viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between the visible and the invisible, the real and the fictional. Her works, which can resemble plants, animals, or even fossils, create a dreamlike quality that challenges perceptions of life and existence.
Her artistic achievements have garnered recognition in various prestigious exhibitions and collections. Notable curated exhibitions include Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses at the Queensland Art Gallery in Australia and the Biennale Révélations at the Grand Palais in Paris. Clovis’s works are part of significant public and private collections, including the LVMH Collection and the Musée du Louvre.
Clovis’s accolades also reflect her commitment to her craft, having received grants and awards such as the creation grant from DRAC Nouvelle Aquitaine and the honor prize at the Fahrenheit biennale in the USA. Her ongoing residency at La Manufacture de La Seynie further underscores her dedication to porcelain artistry.
In her pursuit of balance and harmony, Juliette Clovis’s sculptures resonate with the universal cycle of renewal, touching the depths of the human soul. Through her innovative use of porcelain, she invites us to reflect on our place within the intricate tapestry of life, where every transformation is a testament to the beauty of existence.