Annette Messager's Grotesque Fairy Tales at Villa Medici
Director Muriel Mayette-Holtz is showcasing a solo exhibition by French artist Annette Messager (born 1943) at Villa Medici in Rome, highlighting her recent creations. Curated by Chiara Parisi, the exhibition also features contributions from various female artists, including Yoko Ono. Known for her role in advocating against the marginalization of women in the art world, Messager combines humor with dark fairy-tale elements. Among her significant pieces are 'Pinocchio,' crafted from colored pencils, and a large installation of striped pillows that mimic an unmade bed. Another impactful work, '3 Pantins PQ,' displays black puppets adhered to a wall with strips of toilet paper. Messager's art playfully explores themes that bridge Surrealism and graphic storytelling.
Key facts
- Solo exhibition of Annette Messager at Villa Medici in Rome
- Director Muriel Mayette-Holtz organizes the show
- Curated by Chiara Parisi as part of a series involving Yoko Ono and others
- Messager won Golden Lion at Venice Biennale in 2005
- Works include 'Pinocchio' made of colored pencils
- Installation of striped pillows resembling an unmade bed in a prison
- Political work '3 Pantins PQ' inspired by migrant centers in Calais
- Tapestry referencing Balthus with uteri drawings
Entities
Artists
- Annette Messager
- Yoko Ono
- Balthus
- Samuel Beckett
- Elizabeth Peyton
- Camille Claudel
- Tatiana Trouvé
Institutions
- Villa Medici
- MoMA
- Centre Pompidou
- Venice Biennale
- Artribune
- French Academy
- Centre international d'art et du paysage de l'île de Vassivière
- La Monnaie de Paris
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Berck-sur-Mer
- France
- Calais
- Berck
- Paris
- Villa Medici
- Venice