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Nicolas Vionnet

Swiss artist Nicolas Vionnet creates subtle yet provocative works that blend objects, conceptual paintings, and
installations to challenge perceptions and provoke curiosity. Fascinated by "irritations," his interventions are
marked by wit and subtlety, encouraging viewers to engage in dialogue with their environment.
Vionnet’s creations often appear functional at first glance but reveal an impossibility upon closer inspection. In
‘221 Reasons to Say No’, a bathroom scale is covered with metal nails, while ‘Always Stand on the Bright Side
of Life’ merges a floor lamp with a walking frame. Similarly, in ‘To Be Honest, I Never Wanted to Become an
Electrician Anyway’, an industrial power socket holds a wig, combining everyday objects in unexpected ways to
elicit surprise, reflection, and amusement.
His installations continue this principle of irritation and integration. For instance, ‘Maria, If You Had Stayed
Tough, We Would Have Been Spared Christmas’ presents a dripping showerhead leading to a gallery room
featuring an old bathtub, turning familiar elements into disorienting experiences. These works invite viewers to
reflect and craft their narratives.
Vionnet’s process emphasizes "non-hierarchical dialogue," where the art does not dominate its environment,
allowing viewers' reactions—whether confusion, amusement, or reflection—to become integral to the work. This
balance encourages an equal focus on the artwork and its surroundings.
In his ‘Untitled’ painting series, Vionnet revisits the art historical motif of drapery through a conceptual
approach. Layers of transparent black spray paint adhere to the raised fabric on raw canvas, creating striking
contrasts of texture and form. His straightforward yet innovative technique underscores his commitment to
simplicity and disruption of artistic expectations.

84 SuperMax - Antique vacuum cleaner, wig, 180x30x25cm, 2016