The work of young Québécois artist Jannick Deslauriers emphasizes art’s most fragile elements, through a mass of translucent fabric. Her delicate fibre art spins out thread sculptures that send strong messages, covering the ghosts of cities, people and of war. (Above: Piano, 2010-11, crinoline, rigid mesh, organza and thread)
From the Battlefield series: Poppies. 2008- 2009. textile installation. various dimensions (h: 10 feet)
Ghosts of artifacts — tanks, pianos, fields of poppies — half-float in her sculptural installations, hollow and wavering.
“Elements from Jannick Deslauriers’ work create a discourse between fear and dreams, between civility and death, between harmony and conflict, between fantasy and horror,” Christiane Gauthier writes in the pamphlet for the Battlefield exhibition. “Her work expresses a dream which enables us to comprehend fully the contrasts inherent in our human condition and which allows us to understand our true nature.”
These two are from the series Ghosts of Montreal.
-The ghosts of the Queen’s Hotel, 2006-07, embroidery on tulle and organza, 144″x48″x24″
-The ghost of the Van Horne House, 2006-07, embroidery on tulle and organza, 60″x48″x24″
Last fall, she created an extraordinary fabric tank for an exhibition at the Show & Tell Gallery in Toronto.
”The massive work is both fragile and imposing as the shape of a tank is formed from translucent fabric held together by black thread. Deslaurier’s three-dimensional drawing treats a severe subject with delicacy and beauty as the hollow formation of the tank is understood in conjunction with the textile-artifact’s sheer size. It is as if the artist constructs the reality of war as something of a ghost in every person’s life.” – Design Boom review
Jannick Deslauriers was born in 1983 in Joliette, Québec. She lives and works in Montreal and teaches visual arts at Marie-Victorin College.
Her website is here.
These are incredible! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the comment, wouldn’t you love to see them up close? I’m now watching for an exhibition near me.
Fabric is such a wonder…the touch, color and texture of it…great stuff!
Yes, the more I learn about fibre and fabric art, the more fascinating I find it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
These are gorgeous! I love the contrast of the soft translucent fabric vs. some of the subject matter like the tank.
Yes, absolutely with you on the contrast with the tank. If you click on the Design Boom review of the tank (http://bit.ly/x0xQ6X) there are more photos from that exhibit, showing the sheer fragility of the tank parts. Truly amazing. Thanks for commenting.
Hi,
Wow, I would of never believed someone could do this with fabric, very unique, and very well done. I especially like the poppy’s and the piano, just gorgeous.
The piano is my favorite. I imagine she has infinite patience, along with her vision.
That must take an unimaginable amount of patience. Wow!
Absolutely, but that’s what I’ve always imagined artistic drive results in. I can’t imagine how she conceived of all this in the first place, it’s so incredibly beautiful and creative.
I imagine that she thought of the idea for one piece and then all the other possibilites of other combinations came to her and it snowballed. I bet she’s got lots more ideas of things to do in the same way. Fantastic.
Mouth dropping – in awe – brilliant. Yes I’d have to agree—the tank – the delicate fabric – is truly a contrast. The tank’s destructiveness and the fragility of life and how war destroys.
Exactly. The artistry of the tank makes you meld your traditional image of the powerful machinery of war with the wispy, fragments that represent the life it snuffs out.
Again, thank you for the excellent commentary. It would be mesmerizing to walk through her poppy fields. Artistic endeavors are so incredibly varied. You are broadening our experiences by exposing us to the arts!
I wholeheartedly agree with the mesmerizing. I’d like to do that, too. And thank you so much for your kind comment, and your support. It’s very much appreciated.
Totally amazing! The essence of fragility yet the strength to hold form.
It’s great to hear from a fabric artist on this topic. Thank you. Good point about strength.
Absolutely stunning and amazing. The Battlefield Poppies will stay with me, but all of this work was amazing.
I’m so glad you stopped by, and that these works affected you this way. I agree she’s phenomenal. Thank you.
That is amazing.
I know, isn’t it? Especially the tank. Thanks for visiting.
These sculptures are absolutely wonderful. They are just so stunning to see. Thanks for posting these
So glad you enjoyed them, and by the way, love your matchstick sculpture post.
Haunting, beautiful, amazing. My husband and I had our honeymoon in Quebec, and I wish we could go back right this minute to see this work in person!
Just realized I had neglected to reply to your comment. Sorry. Yes they really are haunting, and I think going back to Quebec to see her work would be a great idea!
Love these sculptures –ethereally suggestive yet solid!
I love that phrase: ethereally suggestive.
Unique.
Fine and delicate artwork.
Nice ot know thread/ fabric can be ‘sculptured’.
By the way, thanks for the like on my post, ” On the Keyboard”.
Yes, it was a new concept to me that thread could be sculpted, as you say. I find her pieces breathtaking. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for visiting my space today…I will spend some time wandering about your home base for awhile! Love the fabric sculptures! Whimsical…and also incorporating materials so well!
This work has been a hands down favorite on the Canadian junkie blog for some time now. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of her sculptures. Thank you for visiting.
I really like the poppys. Very creative and beautiful
I agree. I would love to walk through the installation, the way the patron is shown in the Battlefield Poppies photo, above. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Wow, these are rad azz! It must have taken her a long time to make these. It’s amazing what one can do with time, imagination and patience… Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. She’s phenomenal, and as you say, obviously very patient.
Hey
Thanks for liking my post of the first chapter in my book. You’ve got some interesting stuff here. This art is pretty amazing.
Your book concept is interesting, and I’ll be back to watch the chapters pile up!
Thanks! Glad to hear you are enjoying it. Thanks for following along. I haven’t decided if I will post the entire book here but if you want to read more and I don’t post new chapters, let me know and I could probably send you more.
Love the fragility and poetry behind it…
It is poetic, isn’t it? Love that observation! thanks
Thanks for the like on my resent post, Your installations are just awesome.
Thank you for visiting, please come back any time you want. (I really liked your small art)
Just love these and would love to see them in person. Wow!
I agree with the wow. Next time I’m in Montreal, I must find out where she’s on exhibit, or who has one of her works in their permanent collection. I’m with you: Definitely would love to see them in person. Thank you for the comment.
your blogs are,beautiful, fantastic,owsom .thank you for reading my blog.Best regards. JMS
Thank you so much for your comment. I enjoyed browsing your blog, too.
The fragility of things natural and man made lives in this work. Thanks Boomerontario
So glad it engaged you! Thank you for taking the time to say so.l
I love what this artist is exploring, and how she chooses to express it. Beautiful work, and a nice selection of artists on your blog.
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to share your thoughts. She is immensely popular, and growing so fast as an artist. (Really like your blog, great ideas there)
Wonderful! The photos of the poppies and Montreal buildings look like watercolor and pencil art. Amazing that it’s 3-D with fabrics and wire. I would love to see this. Thanks for sharing.
I am so with you on this. I’m determined to see her studio, or her next show. This artist, and the other one you liked (Rachel McFarlane) are definitely, without question, artists to watch. Jannick Deslauriers just was picked out of several thousand artists from 80 countries for the (prestigious) West Collection, the only Canadian selected. There’ll be an exhibition later this year. http://www.westcollection.org/West_Collection/WC_2012.html
Wow! I quite love the piano and the flowers…more with smaller spread objects would be incredible…Cheers!
Yes, true, her work is incredible.
wow,wow,wow !!! totally in aw of fabric sculptures, thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome. I agree she’s awsome.
This is absolutely fabulous! What a great talent. I’m blown away.
Hi Anette – You know, I don’t really think there’s any reaction to this artist except being blown away. She is phenomenal. Thanks for taking the time to share your response.
Beautiful so whimsical :+) So creative!
Thanks for the comment. She’s really remarkable, I agree.
LOVE this. quite amazing!
She is indeed amazing, one of the most popular artists I’ve ever posted. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing, these are amazing works – inspiring!
Thank you for visiting my blog.
You are most welcome!
Lovely indeed.
This artist’s work is absolutely stunning! =D
I so agree. The fragility combined with the power of her work is exquisite.
Incredibly amazing art!