Isabella Ducrot: Studio at Frieze Masters 2024
The artist’s finds profound connection with the objects in her home and studio, particularly those of Indian, Islamic and Tibetan origin
The artist’s finds profound connection with the objects in her home and studio, particularly those of Indian, Islamic and Tibetan origin
In the words of [Italian poet] Patrizia Cavalli: ‘to weave is to be human.’ – Isabella Ducrot
Textiles and paper are the cornerstones of Isabella Ducrot’s practice. The former, worn directly on the skin, indicates intimacy and touch; the latter can contain and protect, as well as convey ideas, whether written or graphic. In both weaving and writing, pattern and repetition can give rise to unique expressions.
From her extensive travels over four decades to many countries including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Tibet, Ducrot has gathered a unique collection of textiles and paper dating from the 9th to the 20th centuries. She also holds a significant collection of baroque paintings. Though the artist herself only began painting (and writing) relatively late in life, motifs and elements from these collections now make their way into her work, at times glued, stitched directly or painted on to the image ground.
Black and coloured inks brushed over the surface outline elemental landscapes, erotically intertwined figures, teapots, flowers in vases and chequered cloths. From intimate drawings to large-scale wall-hangings, Ducrot’s work reflects a material and philosophical interest in the repetition of motifs like prayers, or the rhythm of breath.
Isabella Ducrot is presented by Galerie Gisela Capitain, Sadie Coles HQ and Standard (Oslo) at Frieze Masters 2024.
About Studio at Frieze Masters 2024
Following its debut in 2023, Studio, curated by Sheena Wagstaff, highlights Frieze Masters’ commitment to living practice in dialogue with historical art. By focusing on artists’ place of making, it reflects the idea of the past informing the present moment of creation in an object for the future.
Studio features ten solo presentations by Beatrice Caracciolo (Paula Cooper Gallery), Isabella Ducrot (Sadie Coles HQ, Galerie Gisela Capitain and Standard (Oslo)), Nathalie Du Pasquier (Pace Gallery), Shirazeh Houshiary (Lisson Gallery), Kim Yun Shin (Lehmann Maupin), Mernet Larsen (James Cohan), Thaddeus Mosley (Karma), Doris Salcedo (White Cube), Nilima Sheikh (Chemould Prescott Road) and Adriana Varejão (Victoria Miro).
Further Information
Frieze London and Frieze Masters, 9 – 13 October 2024, The Regent’s Park.
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Main Image: Isabella Ducrot, Almost divine I, 2022. Collage, pigments, pencil and wood on Japanese paper, 2.9 × 2.1 m. © Isabella Ducrot. Courtesy: Galerie Gisela Capitain, Sadie Coles HQ and Standard (Oslo)
Quotation from Isabella Ducrot (trans. Adelaide Cioni and Ornan Rotem), ‘Text on Textile’, The Cahiers Series 6, 2008, Sylph Editions, Lewes.
