Claire Fontaine France, b. 2004

The collective artist Claire Fontaine was founded in Paris in 2004 by Italian theorist Fulvia Carnevale and British artist James Thornhill. Their work encompasses sculpture, painting, installation, video, and writing, all centered around the concept of the ready-made. They have expanded their practice to include various forms of appropriation and borrowing.

Her name, which means "Clear Fountain" in English, is an homage to the iconic work of Marcel Duchamp and an inspiration from the famous French stationery brand. By borrowing a pre-existing name and form, the collective expresses a desire for freedom and de-objectification, signifying a separation between the artist's singularity and the work itself.

One of the artist’s seminal works, the neon series titled 'Foreigners Everywhere,' was selected as the theme for the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024. The Biennale highlighted that this work explores concepts of otherness and inclusivity, transcending borders of nationality, ethnicity, and territory. It was translated into multiple languages and displayed in 60 colorful installations. This series has elevated Claire Fontaine's engagement with contemporary visual culture and social issues to international prominence, challenging our perceptions of how we address issues of otherness in today's society.

Claire Fontaine lives and works in Palermo. She has held major solo exhibitions at art institutions including Atelier Hermès, Seoul (2024), Museo Civico di Castelbuono (2024), Museo Riso, Museo d’Arte contemporanea, Palermo (2024), Base, Milan (2023), Kaunstraum Memphis, Linz (2021), Palazzo Ducale di Genova, Genoa (2019), and Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Berlin (2017). Her work was displayed in group exhibitions at the 60th Venice Biennale (2024), Troppenmuseum, Amsterdam (2023), Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn (2023), MAXXI (2022) and more.