Long concerned with the subject of female emancipation and empowerment, Lebourgeois’ latest body of work focuses on hysteria, a condition that has historically been perceived as a predominantly female issue.
Viewing Room Public
All Hysterical
Opens:
12 Apr 2021
Exploring hysteria and fandom, the collection celebrates the teenage girl as a force of nature and the emotions so specific to that time in life.
“Delphine Lebourgeois' new series is an exploration of phenomena often associated with teenage girls, as well as a broader rendition of teenage years in general. Inspired by literature, Beatlemania, K-Pop fans and various accounts of conversion disorders, she depicts adolescence as an age of intensity, mystery and transition, turning 'hysteria' into a strength and a super-visionary state."
Details of "Troisieme Oeil"
Detail of "Lolly-K-Pop"
Cheerleaders series
In "Super Hysterical" and "Cheerleader" the artist alludes to a case of mass hysteria disorder happened in Le Roy, NY in 2012, when 12 cheerleaders were all stricken with symptoms ranging from twitches to spasms to vocal outbursts, resembling Tourette's syndrome.
A subject partially already explored with the Mania drawings, Lebourgeois turns the notion of hysteria on its head, presenting it as a strength and a super-visionary state, while adolescence is celebrated as "an age of intensity, mystery and transition".
Detail of "Super Hysterical"
Lebourgeois’ has often represented her female subjects as armies of rebellious women, shouting their anger at the patriarchy and stereotypes. Quite paradoxically, a sense of calm and composed relaxation radiates from the figures in the "All Hysterical" series, as though they have achieved full control over their bodies and minds.
"All Hysterical" work in progress shot
Detail of "Lolly-K-Pop (Study)"
Detail of "All Stars (Study)"
"I love paper because it has an ephemeral and fragile quality. I have started to use Japanese papers for my B&W sketches. I like the lightness and transparency of these, the preciousness too. They are very delicate…"
Delphine Lebourgeois
All Hysterical
Interested in delving deeper into the ideas that inspired the series? Read the artist's press release below.
Artists
An Interview with Delphine Lebourgeois
8 Jun 2021
To celebrate the artist’s newly-released collection of drawings, we chatted with her about her methods and inspiration.