Françoise Dupré
Flowers (Bonne Mamans), 2012
Woven and printed polythene bags, webbing, thread, pins on MDF boards
8th floor Corridor, Royal London Hospital
Featuring embroidery, webbing, jam jar lids, thread and plastic laundry bags Dupré has created an exuberant series of collages for mothers to be. Dupré’s sculptures often use familiar textile-based domestic materials and traditional processes to create joyful, multi-layered works. Inspired by the concept of the art of making in the everyday, her work celebrates the vernacular and creative skills that are invisible or marginal. In particular, her work explores the often hidden make-and-do creativity of women around the world.
About the artist
Françoise Dupré (b.1953 France) trained at the University of the Arts London (Chelsea and Camberwell Colleges) and has developed a distinguished international career as an artist, independent researcher, project director, and curator. She has exhibited widely in the UK, USA, Australia, and Europe, showcasing her work through solo exhibitions and collaborative-participatory projects.
Dupré's practice is deeply rooted in textile art, exploring its role in identity formation and culture. She engages with textiles not only as a medium but as a means to bridge art and life, with particular emphasis on the feminine and its transnational contexts. Her work transforms social and physical spaces, using crafting techniques to create installations that invite imagination and engagement.
Her solo exhibitions include Tracing Lace (2017, London), Belles îles flottantes (2015, London), and Spirals (2011, New York), among others. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting (2007-2009, USA) and Migrations (2015-2017, touring).
Dupré's collaborative projects, such as the DORA PROJECT (2014-2016) and Brixton Calling! (2011-2012), reflect her commitment to social practice and community engagement. She regularly publishes her research and has contributed to notable publications in the field of textiles.