Vintage tapestries become 'skin' for people, animals, trophy heads and even homewares in the laboriously beautiful work of Frédérique Morrel. A self-proclaimed latex, leather and fur lover, she has given old tapestries new life as integral parts of her sculptures.
Tapestries of all styles; erotic, kitschy and traditional, blend harmoniously and conceptually to add texture and narrative to the artist's free standing and wall mounted sculptures of deer, horses, unicorns, foxes, rabbits, dogs and the human figure.
above: Rembrandt, Bambi and Ma Biche from her Visitors and Passe-Murailles series.
She has three series of these sculptures. The Visitors consist of life sized animals covered in vintage tapestry and needlpoint and accented with real antlers, horns and hooves. Her Passe-Murailles are wall mounted trophy heads and G.Host are life sized human figures.
She starts with fiberglass molds injected with expanding foam, reinforces them with steel rods and hand applies the vintage "found" tapestries to the forms. The results are unusual and compelling pieces of art.
G.Host series
Eva, profile:
Eva, front:
Tony (front and back) and Eva:
Tony:
Tony, detail:
Three views of Diana:
Diana, detail:
Diana, back detail:
Legs:
All the pieces are made by hand in France by Frédérique, whose husband Aaron serves as the brand's artistic director.
above: artist Frederique Morrel and Damien
Frederique, husband Aaron Levin and their three boys:
Their adorable Jack Russells, Maggie and Godard:
All photos by Philippe Cluzeau
Be sure to see Frederique Morrel's Visitors and Passe-Murailles series here.