Genieve Figgis on Reinterpreting the ‘Lady Dior’ Handbag as a Symbol of Survival
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Description
Welcome to the Dior Talks podcast series themed around the sixth edition of Dior Lady Art and hosted by Paris-based journalist Katya Foreman. For this year’s event, 12 artists from around the world have participated in a game of metamorphosis by rendering the iconic Lady Dior handbag as a unique piece of art. “The Lady Dior bag symbolizes longevity, strength, and survival,” says our latest guest in the podcast series, Irish artist Genieve Figgis, who has transposed her universe onto three ethical creations made of grape leather that symbolizes the equality of humans and animals.  In her studio in the wilds of County Wicklow south of the Irish capital, the artist draws inspiration from the works of James Ensor, François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, revisiting the original paintings as if they were melting or dissolving.  A majestic and powerful symbol of life force, the tiger adorns a fully-embroidered Bordeaux colored version of the bag. A quirky cat embroidered with multicolored glass beads and threads features on a second piece, its charm in a pale gold-finish metal depicting a bird on a nest, “waiting for springtime.” Finally, a captivating tableau adorns the third Lady Dior, based on fauna and characters from the past whose features appear to be disintegrating, imparting a disturbing strangeness. These timeless scenes with their faux naivety question our relationship with survival, life and nature. Tune in to the episode to learn more about Figgis’ Dior Lady Art experience as well as the Lady Diana connection between the artist and the iconic Lady Dior bag.  
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Welcome to the Dior Talks podcast series dedicated to the eighth edition of Dior Lady Art, hosted by Paris-based journalist Katya Foreman. For this highly-anticipated edition, 12 artists from around the world were invited to transform the iconic Lady Dior handbag into a unique piece...
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