Peripatetics, vagabonds and other shapes

Peripatetics, vagabonds and other shapes.

The new body of work of Belgian collaborative duo Aline Bouvy / John Gillis consists of canvases that mix embroidery with oil painting, found objects and collage. They depict urban scenarios and quotidian figures in a stylised faux-Primitivist manner attentive to social iconography as well as to the magnification of the body. The violence of the subjects collide with the meticulousness of their needlework and the use of precious, colorful textiles.

For this publication, the artists have chosen to present these works within the context of their working process, mixing furtive studio shots with documentation materials. The extremely confined space of the studio, the frontality of their subjects, the in-your-face quality of their visuals draws the viewer into a close and often discomforting proximity with their practice.

Text by Natacha Carron-Vullierme

The work of Aline Bouvy and John Gillis is multi-faceted in its approach. Working with sculpture, video, painting and installation, their exhibitions are highly visual, and stylistically varied. Their work is simultaneously colourful yet dark, seductive yet feral, testing the spectrum of responses.

Aline Bouvy (°1974, Brussels) and John Gillis (°1972, Halle) have been working in collaboration since 1999. Their recent solo shows include "Aporie de la Peur" at Etablissements d'en face, Brussels and "Peripatetics, vagabonds and other shapes" at Collector's Preview au Temple, Paris. Their work has been featured in the recent following group shows: "Videonale 12", Kunstmuseum, Bonn, "Venusia", Volume Projects, London, "Un-scene", Wiels, Centre for Contemporary Art, Brussels, Young Identities - Global Youth, Kunsthalle Dominikanerkirche, Osanbrück. They live and work in Brussels.