Michel Jocaille's Queer Homage to Working-Class Heritage at Les Filles du Calvaire

Michel Jocaille (b. 1987) presented his first solo exhibition at Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire in Paris, centering on his working-class origins in Fourmies, Hauts-de-France. The show opened with a list of names acknowledging everyone who helped, from his mother (a seamstress) to the gallery cleaner. Jocaille, who first visited a museum at 16 and studied psychology for five years before training at École supérieure d'art de Tourcoing, creates assemblages from found objects, old furniture, and laser-engraved velvet. Works reference local history: a sabot dedicated to Sainte-Anne alludes to the origin of 'sabotage'; a former gun case commemorates the Fourmies massacre of May 1, 1891 (9 dead, average age 15). His sculptures incorporate anti-pigeon spikes to critique state crowd control, and clocks frozen at 8 o'clock symbolize the workday. A centerpiece features lily-of-the-valley flowers—symbols of Labor Day—made from corset whalebone and crochet set in sugar, described as 'armor.' The exhibition also includes a rusted gate wrapped in bandages, referencing trans struggles and paying homage to Claude Cahun and Simone Thiébaut. Jocaille's practice explores 'textures, materials, and chains of know-how,' drawing on fashion designers Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, and Iris van Herpen. He is set to participate in the 18th Biennale de Lyon (Sept 19–Dec 13, 2026), focusing on the history of the canuts (silk weavers).