Olivia d’Aboville has made remarkable progress since graduating with honors in 2009 from Duperré, a prestigious Textile Design school in Paris. With a specialization in textile structures, she has developed her own techniques for shaping cloth. Now, for her 10th solo exhibition, the French-Filipina artist continues to promote environmental sustainability through her artwork, drawing inspiration from the color field movement and her experience as a parent.
I still remember encountering her first exhibition, “Chasm of Fantasies,” at the Ayala Museum in 2010. Back then, sustainability wasn’t as popular as it is today, so I was amazed to see plastic spoons molded into jellyfish-like shapes. It reminded me of Gutsy Tuason’s photographs, showcasing various fascinating underwater creatures. However, d’Aboville’s work had a unique twist—it was crafted from recycled materials, resembling the bioluminescent creatures of the deep sea.
Presently, she continues to explore ways to incorporate sustainability into her artistic practice. Transitioning from early sculptural works, she has now focused on wall-mounted pieces that reflect her personal journey as a mother and her admiration for the ’60s color field movement. Her latest exhibition, “In Color” at Galerie Anna, represents a new phase in her evolving artistic style.
“In Color” features abstract forms inspired by play and the color field movement. Malasimbo festival-goers may recall her installations of life-sized dandelions made from recycled plastic at a grass clearing. After several years of commuting between Puerto Galera and Manila, d’Aboville decided to permanently reside in Manila to provide her two sons, aged seven and three, with a stable education. Her latest artworks capture the essence of her time spent with her children. She describes it as a blending of her roles as a full-time artist and a full-time mom, resulting in vibrant wall-mounted textiles that embody playfulness and lightness.
In addition to her creative process, d’Aboville focuses on collaborating with abaca farmers and weavers to ensure sustainability. Every piece of material in her exhibit is meticulously hand-woven and custom-made. She acknowledges the team of artisans who contribute to transforming her work into contemporary art pieces. From the abaca farmers to the weavers, d’Aboville recognizes the countless stories that are intertwined within each fabric. She feels the energy and unique characteristics imbued by the weavers’ experiences and emotions. Her ongoing initiative has expanded beyond local collaborations to encompass the Filipino-French community, working with the Cebu-based cooperative “Interlace,” led by Frenchman Francis Dravigny. This collaboration is a testament to the growing recognition of abaca as a respected and cherished fiber.
D’Aboville generously shares insights into her artistic process. She demonstrates the complex folds and hand-stitched diamond patterns she incorporates into her artworks. The extremely tight pleating not only adds visual appeal but also facilitates long-term preservation. Alongside conceptualizing and composing the colored shapes, d’Aboville painstakingly cuts and cleans the edges of the fabric. This exhibition alone required over 100 rolls of fabric, equivalent to approximately 115 meters. The attention to detail and meticulousness behind each artwork is truly awe-inspiring.
The final products exude an organic quality that appeals to gallerygoers. Interestingly, d’Aboville reveals that the sewn back of the artwork is equally stunning—a facet she intends to explore further. With her latest series of elegant and meaningful works, the return of d’Aboville to the art scene is met with anticipation and excitement. What will she create next?
“In Color” was on display at Galerie Anna, The Artwalk in SM Megamall, from March 12-25, 2023.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
