CAMILLE CLAUDEL

LOUISE BOURGEOIS

KIKI SMITH

JANA STERBAK

BERLINDE DE BRUYCKERE

In the tradition of internationally renowned and popular exhibitions, like Picasso in 1970, La Beauté in 2000 and Miquel Barceló in 2010, the Collection Lambert in Avignon and Avignon Tourism are together presenting an exhibition, which, by its title – Les Papesses – already announces its exceptional size. Éric Mézil, director of the Collection Lambert, is the exhibition’s curator.

It was under the aegis of the iconic figure of Pope Joan that five women artists were selected, like Popesses of modern and contemporary art: Camille Claudel, Louise Bourgeois, Kiki Smith, Jana Sterbak and Berlinde De Bruyckere.

Works in the exhibition will interact, from one place to another (the monumental works at the Palais des Papes, small sculptures and works on paper at the Collection Lambert), weaving together aesthetic and thematic links: the filiation father/mother/child, dear to Camille Claudel, Louise Bourgeois and Kiki Smith, the body in transformation – Berlinde De Bruyckere, Kiki Smith – medieval alchemy between beings and planets – Jana Sterbak, Kiki Smith, Louise Bourgeois. 

All five take up the tradition of sculpture, often said to be the most difficult of practices (the most traditional – marble, terracotta, plaster, bronze, wax and contemporary – sewn fabrics, glass, ceramic, papier mâché, etc.).