Mennour unveils the first exhibition dedicated to Huguette Caland (1931-2019) at the gallery, the Lebanese artist whose bold and multifaceted work shaped modern art. This exhibition is the result of a collaboration with the artist’s Estate, announced in June 2024. It focuses on Caland’s prolific years in Paris (1970-1987), showcasing nearly 50 works, including 24 paintings, 19 works on paper, and two kaftans—one of which was created in partnership with designer Pierre Cardin. Curated by Sylvie Patry, and assisted by Léo Rivaud Chevaillier, the exhibition marks a turning point in the international recognition of Huguette Caland’s legacy.
Huguette Caland was a key figure in the Lebanese Golden Sixties, standing alongside contemporaries like Shafic Abboud, Etel Adnan, and Simone Fattal. The retrospective highlights the dynamism, humour, and sensuality of her art, including works from the celebrated “Bribes de corps” series of the 1970s.
Born in Beirut and educated at the American University of Beirut, Caland began her artistic journey following the death of her father, Bechara El Khoury, Lebanon’s first post-independence president. In 1970, at 39, she left her family to follow her dreams in Paris. There, she immersed herself in the city’s artistic and literary circles, participating in prestigious salons like Réalités Nouvelles and collaborating with figures such as Pierre Cardin and poets like Andrée Chédid.
Caland’s art defied convention, blending figuration and abstraction with a sensuality that explored themes of the female body, desire, and identity. Her “Bribes de corps” series uses bold Pop-art colours and intimate, fragmented forms to create works that resonate with humour and eroticism. Her kaftans for Cardin redefined self-expression, blending fashion and art to challenge norms of femininity and seduction.
The Paris years also saw Caland experiment with monumental formats, experimental cinema, and sculpture, creating enduring masterpieces such as Espaces Blancs and Ligaments. After Paris, she relocated to Venice, California, in 1987, beginning a new chapter of collaboration and creativity.
About Huguette Caland
Huguette Caland was a pioneering Lebanese artist celebrated for her boundary-defying work in painting, drawing, engraving, and sculpture. Born in Beirut, the daughter of Lebanon’s first post-independence president, she pursued art studies after her father’s death, enrolling at the American University of Beirut. In 1970, she moved to Paris to embrace artistic freedom, creating a distinctive style blending eroticism, abstraction, and vibrant colours. Her acclaimed Bribes de Corps series, collaborations with Pierre Cardin, and exhibitions worldwide solidified her legacy. Caland later moved to California, where she continued her career. Her work resides in collections, including MoMA, Tate, and Centre Pompidou.
Location: 47 rue Saint-André-Des-Arts, Paris
Dates: 14 November. 2024 – 25 January. 2025
