EYES ON: ISABELLA DUCROT

Isabella Ducrot (*1931 in Naples, Italy) is known for her devoted use of woven cloth and delicate paper as the founding material of her artistic practice. Only beginning her artistic career later in life, the Italian artist has assembled a sublime collection of materials through her extensive travels through Asia, originating primarily from Turkey, India, China, Tibet and Afghanistan.

Ducrot’s artistic approach is extremely sensitive; the initial moment in the creation process of the works is tactile. The raw material, from which her fascination emanates, and its characteristics determine the motif for which it becomes an immanent carrier. The same applies to the technique with which the motif is created. Ducrot does not violate the colour of the textile or paper with her chromatic scheme; instead, she allows the material to become part of the images. In doing so, she drains the fabric of its historic content, its origins, to treat it like pure matter. She brings out the most hidden elements like structure and the relationship between colour and light. 

Isabella Ducrot’s recent solo shows include T293, Rome (2022); San Giuseppe alle Scalze a Pontecorvo, Naples (2021); Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne (2021); Galerie Mezzanin, Geneva (2020); Capitain Petzel, Berlin (2019); and Spazio Parlato, Palermo (2018). In 2014 Ducrot had a major exhibition at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome and in 1993 and 2011 she showed her work at the Venice Biennale. Additionally to her paper works, Ducrot has also presented site-specific installations at various private and public sites.