AUGUST 7, 2023 KATE MOTHES
“Écran plat” (1999), driftwood and linen twine, 60 x 50 x 7 centimeters. All images © Marc Bourlier, shared with permission
Characterized by elongated noses and tiny, punched eyes and mouths, Marc Bourlier’s expressive figures gather in a perpetual state of curiosity and surprise. The artist scours the beaches near his home in Normandy for driftwood, gathering an incredible variety of sizes and shapes to take back to the studio. He complements the weathered grain with carefully whittled heads and long, limbless bodies, packing the individuals tightly together on platforms or organizing them into compartments.
“Le Grand Cloisonné” (2017), driftwood, linen twine, and wallpaper, 120 x 90 x 5 centimeters
The nuances of color play a role in Bourlier’s work, as he explores the relationship between naturally occurring tones and subtle background hues.[…]
“Tous Dehors” (2015), driftwood, linen twine, and wooden box, 35 x 15 x 12 centimeters
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