Daniel Pommereulle

A leading figure in the Parisian art scene of the 1960s and 1970s, Daniel Pommereulle was a multifaceted French artist who excelled in painting, sculpture, filmmaking, performance art, and even poetry.

Daniel Pommereulle's Art Practice

Despite being linked to the leading European artists and intellectuals of his time, Daniel Pommereulle (1938-2003) carved his own artistic path. Working across various mediums, he developed a unique aesthetic that embraced violence and cruelty. This was fueled by both the horrors he witnessed in the Algerian War and the influence of Surrealism and Antonin Artaud's theories.

Pommereulle's artistic journey began with painting and sculpture. He often incorporated found objects and glass into his works, reflecting the influence of Post-Dadaism and Surrealism.

He rose to prominence through his role in Jean-Luc Godard's 1967 film "Weekend" and his own experimental films, like "Vite" (1969). A rebellious spirit and critique of consumer society permeated his artistic endeavors, aligning with the countercultural movements of the era.

From the 1980s onward, Pommereulle embarked on a new sculptural direction. He harnessed the unique properties of glass, stone, and iron to "capture the energy of light." These sculptures aimed to achieve a captivating balance between sharp and soft elements, tranquility and a sense of vertigo.

Exhibitions of Pommereulle's Works

Daniel Pommereulle's artistic journey was marked by numerous exhibitions at galleries and institutions worldwide. His solo exhibitions were held at various prestigious venues, such as  Galerie Mathias Fels in Paris, Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou in Paris, Galerie Vallois in Paris, Galerie Claude Givaudan in Geneva, Art and Space Gallery in Tokyo, Galerie Fernand Léger in Ivry-sur-Seine, Galerie Christophe Gaillard in Paris, and many more.

Additionally, Pommereulle's works found a permanent home in numerous collections, including CNAP - Centre National des Arts Plastiques in Paris, MAC/VAL - Musée d’art contemporain du Val de Marne in Vitry sur Seine, FRAC Grand Large - Hauts-de-France in Dunkerque, MAMCO - Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain in Geneva, and Utsukushiga-Hara Open-Air Museum in Nagano.