French artist Claude Lévêque accused of child sexual abuse
Claude Lévêque, a notable contemporary artist from France, is facing allegations of child sexual abuse made by sculptor Laurent Faulon. Faulon asserts that the abuse took place between the ages of 10 and 17 during their three-year cohabitation. He lodged a complaint with the Bobigny public prosecutor's office, fully aware that some claims might be past the statute of limitations, but he seeks to inform the authorities. Additionally, Faulon accused Lévêque of having inappropriate relations with his siblings, one of whom tragically took his own life at 49. The investigation commenced 18 months ago, prompted by Faulon’s reaction to Lévêque’s support for a young artist in 2017. Lévêque has denied the accusations and has countered with defamation and blackmail claims, also terminating his partnership with gallery Kammel Menour amid the inquiry.
Key facts
- Claude Lévêque accused of child sexual abuse by Laurent Faulon
- Abuse allegedly occurred from age 10 to 17, lived together for three years
- Faulon filed complaint with Bobigny prosecutor's office
- Faulon also accused Lévêque of relationships with his two brothers
- Investigation opened a year and a half ago after Faulon's complaint
- Le Monde reported the story
- Faulon found courage in 2017 after curator's comment about Lévêque supporting a teenage boy
- Julie Faitot and Jonathan Loppin sent letter about Lévêque's behavior toward 13-year-old on New Year's Eve 2013
- Lévêque denies allegations, filed counter-complaints for defamation and blackmail in January 2020
- Lévêque ended collaboration with Kammel Menour gallery
- Lévêque born 1953 in Nevers, trained at École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts
- Known for neon installations, including 2014 work for Louvre pyramid
- Represented France at 2009 Venice Biennale
- Exhibited at MoMA PS1, Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain in Geneva, Louvre, Paris Opera
- Designed tapestry for Élysée Palace
Entities
Artists
- Claude Lévêque
- Laurent Faulon
- Jonathan Loppin
Institutions
- Le Monde
- Kammel Menour
- École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts
- Louvre
- Biennale di Venezia
- MoMA PS1
- Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain de Genève
- Musée du Louvre
- Opéra de Paris
- Palais de l'Élysée
- Procure de Bobigny
Locations
- Nevers
- France
- Ginevra
- Svizzera
- Parigi
- Venezia
- Italia
- New York
- Stati Uniti