Francois du Plessis
François du Plessis’ book objects rarely look like books. They look like large tree slices. They look like gay whirls of colour or vertically arranged landscapes. And they look like small insects running up the sheer wall. No, his book objects do not look like alienated books. And yet they are book objects. Because the are made out of what books are made of: many layers of printed pages, velvety linen bindings or shining soft covers, and colourful bookmarkers.
Biography
François du Plessis’s book objects are made of many layers of printed pages, velvety linen bindings or soft covers, and colorful bookmarks. From these simple materials, he transforms books into sculptures that rarely resemble books but rather cross-sections of trees or aerial views of terraced landscapes with swirls of brilliant color. His evocative titles—“The Vanishing Princess,” “Enchantress of Numbers,” “Days Without End”—suggest that he’s interested in stories, though his work turns them into something alien and new.
Born in Zimbabwe, du Plessis has exhibited internationally, including at art fairs in Cologne, Brussels, and Amsterdam, and in galleries and private collections throughout Europe. He lives and works in Germany.
Born
1961 Zimbabwe, Africa.
Education
Self-taught
Selected Exhibitions
2017 Gallery Freitag, Aachen, Germany.
St. Mortiz Art Masters, Switzerland.
2016 Gallery Freitag, Aachen, Germany.
2015 Gallery Freitag, Aachen, Germany.
Art Fair, Cologne, Germany.
“Book Stories” - Stern Wywiol Gallery, Hamburg, Germany.
Contemporary Art Fair, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
“Livres D’Artistes” – Espace St. Mengold-Huy, Belgium.
Art Karlsruhe, Germany.
KunstRai, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Positions Berlin, Germany.
2014 Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
Art.Fair, Köln
“Papier Biennale 2014”, Museum Rijswijk, Netherlands.
2013 “Book Stories” – Kunstverein Xanten
“Book Stories” – Galerie Negen Punt Negen, Roeselare
“ART 2013 Art Fair”- Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag.
“Book Stories” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen, Germany.
“Reactivation”- Betonbox, Düsseldorf
“DIE GROSSE Kunstausstellung NRW Düsseldorf” – Museum
Kunst Palast, Düsseldorf
“Affordable Art Fair” – Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
2012 “Miniaturen” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Affordable Art Fair” – Hamburg, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag.
“Affordable Art Fair” – Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag.
“Arti 12 Art Fair” – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Gruppenausstellung”- Galerie T, Middelburg
“Art Ulm – Int. Kunstmesse”- Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Open Art Fair” – Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag.
“Ostrale”- Ostragehege, Dresden
“Zeitgenössische afrikanische Künstler in der Sammlung”-
(Kindermann Sammlung), Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
“Art and Antique Fair”- Rosmalen, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Livres D´ idéés de Livres”- Musée des Beaux-Arts, Verviers
“Gastarbeiten”- Nadel Fabrik, Aachen
“DIE GROSSE Kunstausstellung NRW Düsseldorf”- Museum
Kunst Palast, Düsseldorf
2011 “Neue Positionen”- In Situ, Maastricht/NL”Miniaturen”- Galerie
Freitag 18.30, Aachen.
“Small is Beautiful”- Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Arti 11 Art Fair”- Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Alternate Current”- Slib, Hasselt
“Carte Blanche mit Didier Bourgignoun”- Galerie Juvenal, Huy
“Just one”- Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“1”- Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Ostrale” – Ostragehege, Dresden
“Art Focus Euregio”- Theater aan het Vrijthof, Maastricht
“Book Stories”- KUNSTRAUM NO.10, Mönchengladbach
“Art and Antique Fair”- Hertogenbosch, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
“Positionen, Sammlung Kindermann”- Artco Galerie,
Herzogenrath
“Affordable Art Fair”- Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
“Kunst Salon”- Eindhoven, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
2010 “Fine Art- Nice Price”- Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Miniaturen”- Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Arti 10 Art Fair”- Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Affordable Art Fair”- Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Pas des deux”, mit Annette Besgen – Galerie Freitag 18.30,
Aachen.
“Open Art Fair”- Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Umgekehrt”- Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Untitled”- Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Made in Germany”- Henn Art Exhibitions, Maastricht
“Joburg Art Fair”- Johannesburg, Süd Afrika, Artco Galerie,
Herzogenrath
“A propos d`ecriture(s)”- Maison de la Culture, March-en-
Fammene
“Affordable Art Fair”- Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
2009 “Jahresgaben” – NAK, (Neue Aachener Kunstverein), Aachen
“Fine Art – Nice Price” – Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Miniaturen” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Affordable Art Fair” – Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Kunstroute” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Open Art Fair” – Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
“5 Jahre” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Book Stories” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Affordable Art Fair”– Paris, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
“40 Jahre Jubiläums Austellung” – Galerie Smelik – Stokking,
Den Haag
“Samenleven” – Kultuur Centrum Meersen, Meersen
“Kunsttour Maastricht” – Regional-Historisches Zentrum
Limburg, Curator Oliver Henn, Maastricht
“A la Carte” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Joburg Art Fair” – Johannesburg, Süd Afrika, Artco Galerie,
Herzogenrath
“Affordable Art Fair” – Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
2008 “Aachen Art”– Stawag Energie Konzern, Aachen
“Miniaturen” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Arti 08 Art Fair” – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Kunstroute Aachen” – Ludwig Forum für internationale Kunst
und Welsche Mühle, Aachen
“The Affordable Art Fair – London/GB”, Galerie Smelik-
Stokking, Den Haag
“Open Art Fair” – Utrecht, Gallery Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
“Art in Red light – Oude Kerk” – Amsterdam
“Lange Nacht der Museen” – Atelierhaus Aachen
“Book Stories” – Afrika-Museum, Cadier en Keer
“Experimentelle 15” – Galerie Titus Koch, Gottmadingen
“Kunsttour Maastricht” – Natuur Historisch Museum
“Cinque” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Dialogue” – Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Book Stories“ – My own Choice Gallery, Amsterdam
2007 “Fine Art – Nice Price“ – Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Miniaturen“ – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Kunst-Dosen” – Henn Art Exhibitions, Maastricht
“Affordable Art Fair” – Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag.
“Ubuntu – South African Contemporary Art” – ABC Treehouse
Gallery, Amsterdam
“Kunsttour Maastricht” – Regional-Historisches Zentrum
Limburg, Curator Oliver Henn, Maastricht
2006 “Book Stories” – Kunstverein Siegen (Gallerie S), Siegen
“Rentrée non académique” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Aachen trifft” – Galerie Freitag 18:30, Aachen
“Seitenwechsel” – KuKuK, Belgien-Deutschland
Ausstellung mit Françoise Deprez und Gerard Scheening,
Galerie Prinsenhoek, Limbricht.
2005 “Papier d’hiver” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Digestion” – Mamac (Musée d’Art Modern et d’Art
Contemperain), Lüttich
Gruppenausstellung mit Christiane Schoenen und Helge
Hommes, Schloß Burgau, Kunstverein Düren, Düren.
“Holland Art Fair” – Den Haag
2004 “Papier d’hiver” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Lineart” in Gent/Belgien – Galerie Pieter Post & Garcia aus
Maastricht.
“Parasiten IV” – Museum Frankenberg, Aachen
“Afro Vibes”, mit Clifford Charles – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Quer 04” – Monschau
“Holland Art Fair” – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Book Stories” – Atelierhaus Aachen
2003
Ausstellung mit Paul van Impe, Galerie Hoge Bomen II –
Oostduinkerke.
“Eclosion” – Château de Jehay
2002 “Parasiten ” – Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst – Aachen
“Kunst RAI” – Kunstmesse Amsterdam, vertreten durch
Galerie Chiefs and Spirits Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag.
1997 Galerie Kick, Kassel
“4 von Maloka” – Cartagena/Kolumbien
1996 “Mama Afrika” – Galerie I. S., Eupen
“Maloka” – Documenta-Halle, Kassel
1995 Rathaus-Galerie, Vellmar
Press
PRESS
Selected Artworks
The Blot
Cut Paper & Books
32 x 29 x 2 inches
190002
Cotton Candy Dreams
Cut Paper & Books
31 x 31 x 2 inches
190001
Elmet
Cut Paper & Books
28 x 20 x 1 inch
180137
Enchantress of Numbers
Cut Paper & Books
27.5 x 27.5 x 1.5 inches
180132
.jpg)
My Psychedelic Studio Pot
Cut Paper & Books
47 x 38 x 2 inches
170495
Born
1961 Zimbabwe, Africa.
Education
Self-taught
Selected Exhibitions
2017 Gallery Freitag, Aachen, Germany.
St. Mortiz Art Masters, Switzerland.
2016 Gallery Freitag, Aachen, Germany.
2015 Gallery Freitag, Aachen, Germany.
Art Fair, Cologne, Germany.
“Book Stories” - Stern Wywiol Gallery, Hamburg, Germany.
Contemporary Art Fair, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
“Livres D’Artistes” – Espace St. Mengold-Huy, Belgium.
Art Karlsruhe, Germany.
KunstRai, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Positions Berlin, Germany.
2014 Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
Art.Fair, Köln
“Papier Biennale 2014”, Museum Rijswijk, Netherlands.
2013 “Book Stories” – Kunstverein Xanten
“Book Stories” – Galerie Negen Punt Negen, Roeselare
“ART 2013 Art Fair”- Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag.
“Book Stories” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen, Germany.
“Reactivation”- Betonbox, Düsseldorf
“DIE GROSSE Kunstausstellung NRW Düsseldorf” – Museum
Kunst Palast, Düsseldorf
“Affordable Art Fair” – Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
2012 “Miniaturen” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Affordable Art Fair” – Hamburg, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag.
“Affordable Art Fair” – Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag.
“Arti 12 Art Fair” – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Gruppenausstellung”- Galerie T, Middelburg
“Art Ulm – Int. Kunstmesse”- Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Open Art Fair” – Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag.
“Ostrale”- Ostragehege, Dresden
“Zeitgenössische afrikanische Künstler in der Sammlung”-
(Kindermann Sammlung), Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
“Art and Antique Fair”- Rosmalen, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Livres D´ idéés de Livres”- Musée des Beaux-Arts, Verviers
“Gastarbeiten”- Nadel Fabrik, Aachen
“DIE GROSSE Kunstausstellung NRW Düsseldorf”- Museum
Kunst Palast, Düsseldorf
2011 “Neue Positionen”- In Situ, Maastricht/NL”Miniaturen”- Galerie
Freitag 18.30, Aachen.
“Small is Beautiful”- Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Arti 11 Art Fair”- Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Alternate Current”- Slib, Hasselt
“Carte Blanche mit Didier Bourgignoun”- Galerie Juvenal, Huy
“Just one”- Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“1”- Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Ostrale” – Ostragehege, Dresden
“Art Focus Euregio”- Theater aan het Vrijthof, Maastricht
“Book Stories”- KUNSTRAUM NO.10, Mönchengladbach
“Art and Antique Fair”- Hertogenbosch, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
“Positionen, Sammlung Kindermann”- Artco Galerie,
Herzogenrath
“Affordable Art Fair”- Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
“Kunst Salon”- Eindhoven, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
2010 “Fine Art- Nice Price”- Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Miniaturen”- Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Arti 10 Art Fair”- Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Affordable Art Fair”- Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Pas des deux”, mit Annette Besgen – Galerie Freitag 18.30,
Aachen.
“Open Art Fair”- Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Umgekehrt”- Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Untitled”- Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Made in Germany”- Henn Art Exhibitions, Maastricht
“Joburg Art Fair”- Johannesburg, Süd Afrika, Artco Galerie,
Herzogenrath
“A propos d`ecriture(s)”- Maison de la Culture, March-en-
Fammene
“Affordable Art Fair”- Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
2009 “Jahresgaben” – NAK, (Neue Aachener Kunstverein), Aachen
“Fine Art – Nice Price” – Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Miniaturen” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Affordable Art Fair” – Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Kunstroute” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Open Art Fair” – Utrecht, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
“5 Jahre” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Book Stories” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Affordable Art Fair”– Paris, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
“40 Jahre Jubiläums Austellung” – Galerie Smelik – Stokking,
Den Haag
“Samenleven” – Kultuur Centrum Meersen, Meersen
“Kunsttour Maastricht” – Regional-Historisches Zentrum
Limburg, Curator Oliver Henn, Maastricht
“A la Carte” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Joburg Art Fair” – Johannesburg, Süd Afrika, Artco Galerie,
Herzogenrath
“Affordable Art Fair” – Brüssel, Belgien, Galerie Chiefs and
Spirits, Den Haag
2008 “Aachen Art”– Stawag Energie Konzern, Aachen
“Miniaturen” – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Arti 08 Art Fair” – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Kunstroute Aachen” – Ludwig Forum für internationale Kunst
und Welsche Mühle, Aachen
“The Affordable Art Fair – London/GB”, Galerie Smelik-
Stokking, Den Haag
“Open Art Fair” – Utrecht, Gallery Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag
“Art in Red light – Oude Kerk” – Amsterdam
“Lange Nacht der Museen” – Atelierhaus Aachen
“Book Stories” – Afrika-Museum, Cadier en Keer
“Experimentelle 15” – Galerie Titus Koch, Gottmadingen
“Kunsttour Maastricht” – Natuur Historisch Museum
“Cinque” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Dialogue” – Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Book Stories“ – My own Choice Gallery, Amsterdam
2007 “Fine Art – Nice Price“ – Artco Galerie, Herzogenrath
“Miniaturen“ – Galerie Freitag 18.30, Aachen
“Kunst-Dosen” – Henn Art Exhibitions, Maastricht
“Affordable Art Fair” – Amsterdam, Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag.
“Ubuntu – South African Contemporary Art” – ABC Treehouse
Gallery, Amsterdam
“Kunsttour Maastricht” – Regional-Historisches Zentrum
Limburg, Curator Oliver Henn, Maastricht
2006 “Book Stories” – Kunstverein Siegen (Gallerie S), Siegen
“Rentrée non académique” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Aachen trifft” – Galerie Freitag 18:30, Aachen
“Seitenwechsel” – KuKuK, Belgien-Deutschland
Ausstellung mit Françoise Deprez und Gerard Scheening,
Galerie Prinsenhoek, Limbricht.
2005 “Papier d’hiver” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Digestion” – Mamac (Musée d’Art Modern et d’Art
Contemperain), Lüttich
Gruppenausstellung mit Christiane Schoenen und Helge
Hommes, Schloß Burgau, Kunstverein Düren, Düren.
“Holland Art Fair” – Den Haag
2004 “Papier d’hiver” – Monos Art Gallery, Lüttich
“Lineart” in Gent/Belgien – Galerie Pieter Post & Garcia aus
Maastricht.
“Parasiten IV” – Museum Frankenberg, Aachen
“Afro Vibes”, mit Clifford Charles – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits,
Den Haag
“Quer 04” – Monschau
“Holland Art Fair” – Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den Haag
“Book Stories” – Atelierhaus Aachen
2003
Ausstellung mit Paul van Impe, Galerie Hoge Bomen II –
Oostduinkerke.
“Eclosion” – Château de Jehay
2002 “Parasiten ” – Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst – Aachen
“Kunst RAI” – Kunstmesse Amsterdam, vertreten durch
Galerie Chiefs and Spirits Galerie Chiefs and Spirits, Den
Haag.
1997 Galerie Kick, Kassel
“4 von Maloka” – Cartagena/Kolumbien
1996 “Mama Afrika” – Galerie I. S., Eupen
“Maloka” – Documenta-Halle, Kassel
1995 Rathaus-Galerie, Vellmar
Biography
François du Plessis’s book objects are made of many layers of printed pages, velvety linen bindings or soft covers, and colorful bookmarks. From these simple materials, he transforms books into sculptures that rarely resemble books but rather cross-sections of trees or aerial views of terraced landscapes with swirls of brilliant color. His evocative titles—“The Vanishing Princess,” “Enchantress of Numbers,” “Days Without End”—suggest that he’s interested in stories, though his work turns them into something alien and new.
Born in Zimbabwe, du Plessis has exhibited internationally, including at art fairs in Cologne, Brussels, and Amsterdam, and in galleries and private collections throughout Europe. He lives and works in Germany.
