ARTIST STATEMENT

Juliette Sallin is a fiber artist who has always been fascinated by the way we perceive nature through our senses. She translates this interest into sculptures made of semi abstract plant shapes and paintings that she uses as archetypal and multi-sensory images of our emotions. By emphasizing textures and colors, the artist creates immersive spaces where inner calm can be achieved. This feeling is reached when we open ourselves to our sensations, and let our perceptions wrap us. Moreover, this activity of the senses reveals its reciprocal nature, a continuous exchange between oneself and our surrounding.

Juliette’s works are made of silk, but sometimes also of wood, paper and brass. Much of her process is devoted to plant dyes. The leaves, flowers, roots and bark that she uses contain pigments that give the fabric a particular vibration, as if the essence of plants were being transposed into the sculptures. The immersive experience of the work is then enriched with subtle sensualities and vegetal delicacies.

Enlightened by her own sensitive experiences of the plant realm, the environmental writings of David Abram, Emanuele Coccia and Greek mythologies, she perceives our inner wholeness as a communion with nature and the elements. Most recently, her work is revolving around the use of plants imagery as a representation of the woman’s inner and corporeal existence: eroticism and desire, fertility/aridity, torment and serenity. The sculptures then become an embodied and sensual metaphor of the different facets of her life as a woman.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in 1980 in Geneva, Switzerland, Juliette Sallin studied textile design at the University of Florence, new media at the HEAD Geneva and Kingston University (GB). Two-time recipient of the Swiss Ikea Foundation (2009 and 2013), Juliette has exhibited in Switzerland and Great Britain. Her work is held in private collections in Europe and north America.

Education

Kingston University (GB) : phd studies, generative design and new textile aesthetics 2010-2012 Geneva University of Art and Design: postgraduate diploma, new media in art & design, 2008 Florence University (Italy) : bachelor in textile design, 2006

Solo shows

On ne peut empêcher le printemps d’arriver, galerie SONO, Paris, 2022 Capsule, Halle Nord, Genève, 2021 Caillou (Genève), Talisman collection, 2017

Group shows

I’ve got a feeling, Musées D’Angers, France, 2023 Matières Primaires, galerie Porte B, Paris, 2022 Locus Amoenus, galerie SONO, Paris, 2022 Miniart Textile, Como, Italy 2021 -2022 Future Icons, Buyers Showcase, London, 2019 Flowers | Shoots | Leaves, Jaggedart, London 2019 Mouvement de l’éphémère, Ressources Urbaines, Genève, 2018 Girls girls girls, Le Pavillon Bleu, Genève, 2016
Reconfiguration : crafting design research, The platform gallery, Kingston, 2012 MODE : DEMO, Lift Conférences, Genève, 2010
Cold Center, Kunstraum Walchturm, Zurich 2008
iMedia, Art en île, Genève, 2007

Grants & Residencies

Centre Pompadour, France 2022 Arte Ventura, Spain, 2021 Ikea Foundation Switzerland, 2013 Ikea Foundation Switzerland, 2009

Lecturing & teaching

Geneva University of Art and Design, textile engineering, 2012
Swiss Design Network Symposium, Practicing Theory (or: Did Practice Kill Theory?), 2011

Languages

French, English, Italian

Press & Publications

the jealouscurator.com 2019 + 2022 bilan.ch, COMETS : Juliette Sallin, 2017
brwnpaperbag.com, Tiny Talisman are Pocket-Sized Paper Craft That Wish You Good Luck, 2017 artisticmood.com, enchanting paper collages by Juliette Sallin, 2016
Marie Claire, édition Suisse, portrait Juliette Sallin, octobre 2015
sleekdesign.fr, design textile : Juliette Sallin évoque le vêtement du futur, 2009