Christian LAPIE

Initially a painter, Lapie worked with chalk, oxides, and ash on rough canvas tarpaulins mounted on rudimentary frames, transforming their window motif into that of a cross. This form became bas-relief, and Lapie’s materials therefore evolved: sheet metal, cement and charred wood for In Case of War (1992, Frac Champagne-Ardenne); cement, paint and concrete reinforcing bars for War Game, a public commission that was censored in 1995.

After the clear brutality of this experience – and following an inspiring sojourn in the Amazon Rainforest – Lapie went straight to monumental sculpture, shaping figures in rough and calcined wood. Some were created in Champagne, a region that witnessed bloody combat during World War I, and then erected in various locations around the world. Christian Lapie’s oeuvre explores individual and collective memory. His installations of these spectral figures are inspired by carefully chosen sites, with imprints of history. Wherever they stand, whatever the continent, the powerful and monumental figures with neither arms or nor faces, question and unsettle. As the critic Philippe Piguet emphasizes, “This duty to remember what they are alluding to is civic, and simply human.”

Born in 1955 in Reims, France; Lives and works in Val-de-Vesle, France

PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS AND SOLO EXHIBITIONS (selection)

2023
- Monaco Sculptures, Jardins de la Petite Afrique, Monaco
- Prieuré d'Airaines, Airaines, France.
- L'Espace-Temps, Valle de Bravo, Mexique.

2022
- L'Une et l'Autre, Montigny-lès-Metz, France
- L'Espace-Temps, Eglise Saint-Eustache, Paris, France.

2021
- Au delà, Galerie RX, Paris, France 
- L’art dans la ville, Issoire, France.
- La forêt des Autres, Château de Campagne et Jardins du Manoir d’Eyrignac, Dordogne, France.
- Au-dessus du vent, Musée Soulages, Rodez, France.

2020
- Un Arbre dans le Temps, La Queurie Manor, Ecouché-les-Vallées, France.
- Le Reflet du Vent, San-Climente de Minorque, Balearics, Spain.

2019
- Exposition de sculpture et dessins, Galerie RX, Paris, France.
- Le souffle du temps, Soulages Museum of Rodez, France.
- Exposition de sculptures et dessins, Denys-Puech Museum, Rodez, France.
- Saison d’art 2019, Domain of Chaumont sur Loire, France.
- Portraits Contemporains : Selfies de l’âme ? Biennial of Issy-les-Moulineaux, Museum of the Playing Card, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.

2018
- The Dream of Icarus, Scognamiglio Gallery, Milan, Italy.
- Au-delà du noir, Bogéna Gallery, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.
- Les parcelles lumineuses, Poitiers, France.
- Sculptures, installation, Castle of Courcelles, Montigny lès Metz, France.
- Collections du FRACCA et œuvres récentes, Contemporary Art Center Passages, Troyes, France.
- Bronze, peintures et dessins, College Gallery Jacques Cartier, Chauny, France.
- Sculptures et multiples, Domain of Tourefou, Pâlis, France.

2017
- À l’est de la lune, Cooperage of Mercurey, France.
- La Permanence des ombres, installation Noirlac Abbey, France.
- Le point du jour, sculpture exhibition at the Place du Louvre, Paris, France.
- Le génie est un arbre, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Les reflets d’infinis, La Cerisaie neighborhood, Villiers-le-Bel, France.
- Exposition de sculptures et dessins, Placido Gallery, Paris, France.

2016
- La lumière des arbres, public commission by Logeo Seine Estuaire for a neighborhood in Saint-Léger-du-Bourg-Denis, France.
- Dans les ténèbres, Historial Jeanne d’Arc, Rouen, France.
- Sentinelle Mons 2015 capitale Européenne de la Culture, Koma Gallery, Mons, Belgium.

2015
- Elevation, Hervé Lancelin Gallery, Luxembourg.
- L’homme est un arbre de liberté, Piedmont, Mont-Saint-Martin, France.
- Skulpturen, Im Kies Gallery, Altach, Austria.
- War Game, la réédition, Résonnaces association, Curch of Courmelois, France.
- Sculptures, Caste of Pommard, Pommard, France.
- Les étoiles veillent, Grimaud, France.
- Fendre l’ombre, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.
- Les veilleurs du silence, Bogéna Gallery, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.

2014
- Le surgissement des ombres, Installation at the Castle Museum of Gaasbeek, Gaasbeek Lennik, Begium.
- Jusqu’à l’ombre, sculpture park installation, Clément Foundation, Le François, France.
- Exposition de sculptures, in collaboration with the Alice Pauli gallery at the Castle of Vullierens, Switzerland.
- Évoquer les ombres, Guillaume Gallery, Paris, France.
- L’art au Fil de la Rance, Plouër sur Rance, France.
- Dans le reflet du ciel, public commission, Saint Palais, France.
- Le feu inventé, installation, Melle, France.
- Artist-in-Residence at Chalk Hill Artist Residency, Healdsburg, California, USA.

2013
- Les contours du silence, Noirlac Abbey, France
- L'infini suspendu, public commission, Eymoutiers, France.
- Les carnets du sous-sol, scenery, Theater of the Passerelle, Limoges, France.

2012
- Évoquer les ombres, public commission, ICADE company sponsorship for the Municipality of Truchtersheim, France.
- The permanence of shadows, Stiftung Für Konkrete Kunst Roland Phleps, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
- Des ombres jusqu’au ciel, public commission, 5 figures 4.3 X 3 X 2m in treated oak, Pellinière neighborhood, Les Herbiers, France.
- Au crépuscule, 2006, permanent installation, sculpture garden of the Castel d’Arsac, Arsac, France.
- Exposition de peintures, dessins, bronzes, gravures, City Hall of Eymoutiers, Eymoutiers, France.

2011
- Dans l’intervalle, public commission, 7 figures of 6 m oak in Stalingrad Place in Reims and 9 figures of 6 m, esplanade of the train station Champagne Ardenne at Bezannes, France.
- Des ombres jusqu’au ciel, 2011, public commission, 5 figures in treated oak, val de la Péllinère, Les Herbiers, France.
- Exhibition of works on paper and bronzes, Le Grand R, International Scene, La Roche-sur-Yon, France.
- Le bruissement du ciel, monumental sculptures, centre ville and botanical garden, Metz, France.
- Les ombres suspendues, monumental sculptures, work on paper and bronze, Castle of Ardelay and Val de la Pellinière, Les Herbiers, France.
- Traverser le silence, monumental sculpture, Château du Grand Jardin, Joinville, France.
- Vers la lumière, monumental sculpture, Center of Contemporary Art of the Belgian Luxembourg, Montauban-Buzenol, Etalle, Belgian Luxembourg, Belgium.

2010
- Comme une cosmogonie, installation of monumental sculptures and paintings on paper, Space of Contemporary Art, Chapel of the Visitation, Thonon les Bains, France.
- Transfixion, sculpture park of Donjon de Jouy, Sancoins, France.
- Dans l’intervalle 1, Stalingrad place, Reims, France.
- Sous la lumière, Sologne, France.
- La couleur de la lune, MacWay-JV2R company, Illkirch Graffenstaden, France.

2009
- Ombres, House of Arts of Malakoff, France.
- Au bord du vide, permanant installation, public commission by the Saint Jean d’Orbestier Abbey, Le château d’Olonne, France.
- La constellation des Messagers, Café du Palais, Reims, France.
- Le vent des forêts ; Le silence brisé, Lahaymex, France.

2008
- Fendre l’ombre, Saint Riquier Abbey, Saint Riquier, France.
- Au bord du vide, Saint Jean d’Orbestier Abbey, Castle of Olonne, France.
- Exposition, bronze, gravure et peintures sur papier at the Musée de l’Abbaye Sainte Croix, Les sables d’Olonne, France.
- Face au silence, 15th Sculpture Link Knocke le Zout, Belgium.
- Nos ombres en attendant la nuit, permanent installation, public commission, Mulhouse, France.
- Les confluences nomades, permanent installation, public commission, Le Sentier des Lauzes, France.

2007
- La nuit recule, permanent installation, Claudine and Jean Marc Salomon Foundation, Castle of Arenthon, Alex, France.
- The skin of the city, Museum of Old Staint John’s Hospital and Our Lady of the Potteries, Bruges, Belgium.
- Les empreintes du silence, Chalet Farb, Saanen, Galerie Alice Pauli, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Constellation de la douleur, permanent installation, public commission, Musée de la Caverne du Dragon, Chemin des Dames, Aisne, France.

2006
- In the path of the Sun and the Moon, permanent installation, public commission, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
- Parcours de sculpture One Man Show, Grand Palais Art Paris 06, Alice Pauli Gallery, Paris, France.
- Le pupitre des étoiles, permanent installation, public commission, Mémorial à la déportation des Juifs des Hauts de Seine, Parc de Sceaux, France.
- Fendre les heures, Lubéron, France.

2005
- Exposition, de sculptures, gravures et dessins, Intérieur Actuel Gallery, Reims, France.

2004
- Exposition, de sculptures, gravures et dessins, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2003
- Le silence des lauzes, permanent installation, public commission, Le Sentier des Lauzes, Parc Régional Naturel des Monts d‘Ardèche, France.

2002
- Axe, L’esprit des lieux, Museum of Fine Arts, Reims, France.
- Le Clos du Zahnacker, permanent installation, Caves de Ribeauvillé, Ribeauvillé, France.
- The Crow’s Nest, permanent installation, Southern Alberta Gallery, Blairmore, Alberta, Canada.

2001
- Djaoulérou, permanent installation, public commission Adamaoua, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

2000
- Das Sulzburger Feld, Sulzburg Synagogue, Germany.
- Sculptures, Centre d’Art et de Littérature, L’Echelle, France.
- Le Tabloïd des Anges, scenery, Compagnie ça, Hervé Dianas, Le Manège Reims, France.
- Fort 61, parc de sculptures d’Echigo Tsumari, Matsudaï, Japon.

1999
- The guest for the month of May, artcom.fr

1998
- Travail-Volupté, Burghof, Schlossberg, Forbach, France.
- Exposition de sculptures et dessins, Galerie de la Médiathèque, Forbach, France.
- Exposition de sculptures et dessins, Guillaume Daeppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Construction, Le Collège, FRAC Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France.
- Projection, Cultural Center of Tinqueux, France.
- Richemont Art FoundationThe Huberte GooTe Gallery, Zug, Switzerland.
- SIRIAC, Champagne Ardenne, Châlons, Troyes, Charleville, Reims, France.

1997
- Exposition de sculptures et dessins Galerie Guillaume Daeppen, Basel, Zurich Art Fair, Switzerland.

1996
- Déposition, Contemporary Art Center Passages, Troyes, France.
- Chaussée de Mécringes, Axoral Factory, Montmirail, France.
- Exposition d’une sculpture monumentale, Lycée forestier de Crogny, France.

1995
- Reddition / Célébration, installation, Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin, Germany.
- Exhibition, Guillaume Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Napées, monumental sculpture installation, Aleph, Rumigny, France.

1994
- Guillaume Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.

1993
- Traversée, exhibition of sculpture and design, Koma Gallery, Mons, Belgium.
- Traverser, installation, Salle Saint Georges, Mons, Belgium.
- Travers, installation, L’Escaut, Brussels, Belgium.

1992
- Paraiso, Galerie Guillaume Dæppen, Basel, Switzerland.
- Installation, The Gallery, Collège Trois Fontaine, Reims, France.

1991
- Praz-Delavallade Gallery, Paris, France.
- Guillaume Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.

1990
- ACCA, Australian Center for Contemporary Art, Melbourne, Australia.
- Mori Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
- Praz-Delavallade Gallery, Paris, France.

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selection)

2021
- Les parcelles lumineuses, Marseille Parc de Maison Blanche, Mairie des 9ème et 10ème arrondissements, France.
- Traversée, Galerie RX, Paris, France.

2020
- L’obscurité des origines, Galerie RX, Paris, France.

2019
- Abbaye de Jumièges, Jumièges, France.
- EXPO Chicago, Galerie RX, Chicago, USA.
- Œuvres Choisies, Galerie RX, Paris, France.

2018
- Art Miami 2018, Mimmo Scognamiglio Gallery, Placido Gallery, Miami, USA.
- Art Basel 2018, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Art New York, Placido Gallery / Scognamiglio New York, USA.
- Révélations 2018, Atelier Stéphane Guilgaud, Grand Palais, Paris, France.
- Art Week Placido/ Scognamiglio, Luxembourg.
- SCOPE-ART Miami Beach Placido Gallery / Scognamiglio, Miami, USA.
- ACCROCHAGE, Placido Gallery, Paris, France.

2017
- ART PARIS, Grand Palais, Bogéna Gallery, Paris, France.
- Art Basel 2017, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switerland.
- WOP ART 2017, Placido Gallery /Scognamiglio, Lugano, Switzerland.
- SCOPE-ART Miami Beach Bogéna Gallery / Boccara Art Miami, USA.
- ART Miami Beach Placido Gallery /Scognamiglio Miami, USA.
- Art Week Placido/Scognamiglio, Luxembourg.
- YIA Carreau du Temple,Placido/Scognamiglio, Paris, France.

2016
- Exposition de sculptures, Siège du groupe La dépêche du Midi, Saint-Jean-de-Védas, Montpellier, France.
- Au fil de la méditerranée, Bogéna Gallery, Saint Paul de Vence, France.
- Art Basel 2016, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Partir... Bogéna Gallery, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.
- Art Paris, Grand Palais, Galerie Bogéna, Paris, France.
- Le corps de la sculpture, Biennale de sculpture, Caillebotte Space, Yerres, France.
- Exposition 2016, Art and Nature Center, Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire, France.

2015
- Créations 2015, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
- Art Week Luxembourg, Hervé Lancelin Gallery, Luxembourg
- Bogéna Gallery, Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
- Nature sous tension, Collection Départementale d’Art Contemporain, Auditorium Bondy, France.
- Le noir dans un itinérance de papier, Bogéna Gallery, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.
- Collection Philippe Piguet. Une passion pour l'art à l'Abbaye d'Annecy-le-Vieux Fondation pour l'art contemporain Claudine et Jean-Marc Salomon, Annecy-le-Vieux, France.
- Jardiniers terrestres /// Jardiniers célestes, Biennial of Melle, Melle, France.
- Jardin des sculptures volume 2 Fondation Flag France, Château de La-Celle-Saint-Cloud, France.
- Art Basel 2015, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Exposition de sculptures, Castel of Vullierens Park, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.
- Nouvelles acquisitions, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Le cheminement des sculptures, Gigondas, France.
- Art Paris, Grand Palais, Bogéna Gallery, Paris, France.
- Exposition 2015, Art and Nature Center, Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire, France.

2014
- Hervé Lancelin Gallery, Luxembourg.
- Accrochage d’automne, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Art Basel 2014, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Exposition de groupe des artistes de la galerie, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2013
- In Between, Castel of Gaasbeek, Belgium.
- Art/43/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Etre humain et le savoir ensemble, Biennale de Melle, Melle, France.
- ULYSSES, ÉGAREMENTS, coproduction FRAC Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and departmental domaine of the Castel of Avigon, Les Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer, France.
- Accrochage des artistes de la galerie, Galerie Alice Pauli, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- L'Art au défi de l'espérance, Town Hall of the Fourth Arrondissement, Salon du Vieux Colombier, Paris, France.

2012
- Promenons nous dans les bois? Le musée qui cache la forêt, La Louvière, Belgium.
- Art/32/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Artothèque #3, Ancien Collège des Jésuites, Reims, France.

2011
- Art/42/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Artothèque #2 ORCCA, Vysocina Gallery, Jilhava, Czech Republic.

2010
- Art Karlsruhe, Christophe Fleurov Gallery, Bade-Wurtemberg, Germany.
- Art/41/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Exposition de groupe, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2009
- Art/40/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Le vent des forêts, Lahaymex, France.

2008
- Art/39/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Art Nocturne, Mary-Ann Manning Gallery, Knokke, Belgium.
- Champs de mémoire, Museum of Modern Art, Troyes and Navarin space, France.

2007
- St-art 12 #, Mary-Ann Maning Gallery, Strasbourg, France.
- Fait en France, National Museum of Fine Arts, Riga, Latvia.
- Fait en France, National Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria.
- Art/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- African Way, Orangerie du Domaine de Madame Élisabeth, Versailles, France.

2006
- Art/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Comme un mur, Christine Phal Gallery, Paris, France.
- Profils, 15 years of artistic creations in France, masterpieces from FRAC and FNAC collections: Istanbul, Turkey, Pera Muzesi, Athens, Greece, Benaki Museum.
- Paysages en bataille, Museum of St Riquier’s Abbey, France.

2005
- Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2004
- Art/35/Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Monumental anachronisme, Célébration! 20 ans du FRAC Champagne-Ardenne, Palace of Tau, Reims, France.
- 8 artistes rendent hommage aux tirailleurs Sénégalais, Ancien Collège des Jésuites, Reims, France.

2003
- 7lieux-7matières-St Rémy de Provence Art Center Présence Van Gogh, St Rémy de Provence, France.
- Acquisitions Nouvelles, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Territoires Nomades, Space of Art, Rouillé, château de l’Abrègement, Bioussac, France.
- Art Basel, Alice Pauli Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.

2002
- FIAC, Alice Pauli Gallery, Paris, France.
- Sculptures et dessins, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Nouvelles Acquisitions, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2001
- Periferic Bienala / Peripheral Biennial, Culture Palace, Iasi, Roumania.
- Acquisitions Nouvelles, Alice Pauli Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

2000
- Nouvelles acquisitions, le Collège FRAC Champagne Ardenne, France.
- Echigo-Tsumari, Art Triennial Niigata, Japan.
- Villa Aichele, Städishe Gallery, Lörrach, Germany.

1999
- Guillaume Dæppen, Basel Gallery, Switzerland.
- Les visiteurs d’un soir, Binches, Belgium.
- Confrontations, Palffy Palace, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- NICAF (International Contemporary Art Fair), Art Front Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.

1998
- Art ? à Saint Remy, Saint Remy de Provence, France.
- Les images sont plus fortes que les mots, Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Noir et Blanc, Florence et Daniel Guerlain Foundation, Les Mesnuls, France.
- Que la dernière ...demeure, L’Attacat, Mons, Belgium.
- Foire d’Art Contemporain, Dæppen Gallery ,Frankfurt, Germany.
- Foire de Zurich, Dæppen Gallery, Switzerland.

1997
- Volle Scheunen, IKOB, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany.
- Visits, Sassen Gallery, Verviers, Belgium.
- Marie Louise Wirth Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland.
- ARTour Chapelle Saint-André, Binche, Belgium.
- Europe Palace, Strasbourg, France.
- St Remy s’expose, 5 artistes proposent, Saint Remy de Provence, France.
- Martinsmühle, Hochfelden, Switzerland.
- Nouvelles acquisitions, Le Collège, FRAC Champagne-Ardenne Reims, France.

1996
- Foire de Cologne, Dæppen Gallery, frankfurt, Germany.
- Patrimoine -Arts Plastiques -Musique Couvent des Cordeliers, La Cassine, France.

1995
- La folie du voir, Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Dépot, Usine Axon’Cable, Montmirail, France.
- En Ville, Mairie de Fismes, France.
- Foire de Cologne, Dæppen Gallery, Germany.
- Ancienne Chapelle, Hotel de Région, Châlons en Champagne, France.
- 22 pour suite, Sélestat, France.

1994
- Arte Amazonas, Ludwig Forum, Aix la Chapelle, Germany.
- Versus, Courmelois’s Church, France.
- Dépot, Cologne Fair, Dæppen Gallery, Germany.
- En Commun, Arts House, Antony, France.
- Koma Gallery, Mons, Belgium.
- America, Museum of Modern Art, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

1993
- Klima Global, Kunsthalle Berlin, Germany.
- À corps perdu, Guillaume Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- Arte Amazonas, Tecnishe Sammlungen, Dresden, Germany.
- Landschaften,  Guillaume Dæppen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
- America, University of Juiz de Foria, Brazil.

1992
- Arte Amazonas, Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Partnerschafen, Suermond Ludwig Museum, Aix la Chapelle, Germany.

1991
- FIAC 91, Grand Palais, Paris, France.
- Mythes et Réalités en Europe, Merton Villa, Frankfurt, Germany.
- National Center of Contempoary Art, Sovinec Castle, Czechoslavakia.
- Barbaro Gallery, Paris, France.
- Janos Gallery, Paris, France.
- Découvertes, Grand Palais, Praz-Delavallade Gallery, Paris, France.

1990
- Contemporary Art Fair, Dæppen Gallery, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Salon de Montrouge, France.
- Exhibition of Miniature, Mori - Annexe, Sydney, Australia.
- Sélestat 90, Grand Est’s Contemporary Creation, Sélestat, France.

PUBLICATIONS

2019
- Le Souffle du Temps, Ed. Art Absolument.

2016
- Les Métamorphes, Ed. Art Absolument.

2002
- L’esprit des Lieux, Ed. Adam Biro.