Clotilde Viannay

In all her works, Clotilde Viannay tells stories, using hints, small clues and contextual elements that refer us to history and to the decorative arts for a light-hearted visual rendering of La Samaritaine’s neighbourhood.  Deliberately upbeat and inspired by department store showcases, her series of still lifes emphasises colour and a definite fashion aesthetic - the Louvre’s gold jewellery in an Egyptian setting, and the Pont Neuf covered with shoes and gloves belonging to early 20th century fashionistas. La Samaritaine herself is represented by Art Nouveau and Art Deco-style peacock feathers, oranges and pinks, while the Rue de Rivoli – taking its name from the Napoleonic battle – is rendered by toys.  Incorporating a combination of visual elements and objects, the district becomes both the setting for, and a repository of, decorative experiences -  a small intimate bazaar for a department store.