Announcing representation of Théo Massoulier
Gaep is pleased to announce the representation of Lyon-based artist Théo Massoulier. His first exhibition with the gallery – and his first in Bucharest – will open at the end of February.
Massoulier’s interest in processes of coevolution, hybridisation, metamorphosis, and entanglement is manifested through an artistic practice informed by biology, genetic engineering, philosophy, as well as the aesthetics of biopunk, simulation games, and Neo-Geo art. His sculptures, installations and bas-relief paintings destabilise demarcations between the organic and the synthetic, human and non-human, man-made and machine-made. They ask incisive questions about the systemic tensions revealed by the crises of the Anthropocene; our relentless technological drive, including the merging of technology and biology via gene editing tools; the utopias and dystopias arising from the prospect of full automation; and the manifold contradictions of consumption and desire, such as the glorification of certain objects in the face of increasing dematerialisation.
“Over the last eight years, Théo Massoulier has developed several series of works that draw on scientific concepts and philosophical questions to activate speculative scenarios. Although heterogeneous, his assemblages, which often look like jewel-coloured microlandscapes or sci-fi zoomorphic creatures, have a rigorous formal and conceptual construction, calling attention to the essential interconnectness of all things surrounding us”, says Andrei Breahnă, Gaep’s cofounder. “We are thrilled to introduce his work to our audience. His upcoming solo exhibition with Gaep will feature new assemblages from the ongoing series 5G and CriSpr, alongside new bas-relief paintings of different sizes.”
Théo Massoulier is also represented by Meessen De Clercq.
Artist bio
Théo Massoulier (b. 1983, lives and works in Lyon, France) graduated from École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Lyon in 2016. His work was shown in a group exhibition at Musée d’art contemporain de Montélimar (2022), the Lyon Biennale (Jeune création internationale, 2019) and during the Venice Biennale (HyperPavilion, Arsenale Nord, 2017). In 2023 he had solo exhibitions at the gallery Meessen De Clercq in Brussels and the non-profit exhibition space Galerie Tator in Lyon, while in 2022 his solo show at Les Quinconces, in Le Mans, was accompanied by a publication.
Read the artist statement to learn more.
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Images: Théo Massoulier, Sensor Plug II, 2023, mixed media (detail), installation view from Job Control (solo exhibition), 2023, Galerie Tator, Lyon (1); installation view from Ad Ultra (solo exhibition), 2023, Meessen De Clercq, Brussels ©Meessen De Clercq (2); Tiges Ultra Boost, 2019, installation, variable dimensions, installation view from Lyon Biennale, Jeune création internationale, 2019, IAC Villeurbanne (3); portrait of Théo Massoulier, photo by Blandine Soulage (4)
