Joana Vasconcelos Presents Dual Exhibitions in France Through 2026

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos is featured in two significant exhibitions in France. She participates in the group show 'Bonnes Mères' at the Mucem in Marseille, exploring motherhood across cultures with works by artists including Kader Attia and Niki de Saint Phalle, running until August 31, 2026. Concurrently, Vasconcelos prepares for 'L’Absurde et le Rêve,' a summer exhibition from June 20 to October 31, 2026 at La Citadelle in Villefranche-sur-Mer, alongside Belgian sculptor Arne Quinze, focusing on surrealism and nature. In an interview, Vasconcelos discusses her artistic process, emphasizing that each piece begins with a conceptual need to improve the world, with scale emerging later from material and spatial considerations. She draws inspiration from daily life and cultural heritage, as seen in her 'Valkyrie' series, which blends textiles with industrial elements to reflect local identities, such as using Liberty fabrics in London or Kvadrat in Denmark. One 'Valkyrie' installation in Lille train station honored notable French women like Simone Signoret. Her work merges craftsmanship with social commentary on themes like gender and memory.