Melancolia (2018) Collages by Valérie Weiland (VALpapers)

VAL, a contemporary French self-taught artist, weaves her artistic tapestry through a unique fusion of techniques and mediums. Her creations are a captivating blend of acrylic paint, various resins, Posca, grease pencils, and collages of images sourced from magazines, posters, or newspapers. These elements are meticulously worked on, often torn or reworked, to achieve dynamic and visually striking effects.

Inspiration flows to VAL from diverse sources, with the bustling energy of New York, the timeless elegance of Paris, the allure of fashion, the iconic figures of pop culture, vintage advertisements, and modern graphics all serving as wellsprings for her creativity. One of her distinctive approaches involves staging retro or black-and-white images within vibrant, graffiti-inspired environments. She skillfully plays with colors borrowed from street art, infusing her works with a sense of dynamism and urban flair.

VAL's artistic expression extends beyond the visual to tactile elements. She artfully incorporates textures and drips, recreating an aged effect as if a fragment of street wall has been taken and hung within the confines of a home. Each piece becomes a captivating interplay of time, texture, and color, resonating with the energy of street art and the nostalgia of bygone eras.

As VAL continues to carve her niche in the contemporary art scene, her creations stand as unique and evocative pieces that bridge the gap between urban aesthetics, fashion, and the timeless allure of iconic imagery. Her ability to transform fragments of the street into expressive artworks invites viewers to bring a piece of the dynamic, ever-evolving urban landscape into their own spaces.