Elisabeth Boëlle, artist, a close classmate in Dijon art school, committed suicide at her 40s.
This is an installation work set on a dining table with 6 napkins with black-and-white close-up face images of the artist pronouncing the French word ‘muette’ (mute or quiet). On each napkin, one alphabet of ‘muette’ is hand-sewn white. This work depicts her personal experience of being trapped in her inability to communicate, even with her family around a dining table where one can easily talk, discuss, argue and laugh.
She had always been true to her feelings. I remember during one philosophy exam, she suddenly stood up, went to the teacher and said, ‘I cannot stand the stress triggered by the exam’. She proposed to write an essay at home instead. Clean and clear, the teacher pronounced ‘D’accord’ (OK). I was surprised by both: Elisabeth’s no fear to her naked feelings and teacher’s seemingly natural acceptance. No students paid any attention neither to the conversation, nor Elizabeth’s leaving. I was happy to have seen how the French people accept differences!
In one year, she didn’t come to school for a few months. I later found out that she suffered from anorexia. The only way to make her eat was permission to go to school. She regained strength gradually and finally completed five-year studies with distinction in every term. Her artwork talked about depression, deformation and death. Through art, she recognized her haunted feelings, faced the inexplicable weight at heart and fought, transformed them and communicated to us/the viewers .
In one exhibition, she presented a pinkish laced infant dress in a rectangular frame like a normal picture. From far, nothing special but at a closer look, the small label on the collar wrote ‘ Je suis morte’ (I am dead). Totally heart-wrenching! But she did present a powerful work!!
Only one or two group exhibitions witnessed her whole artistic career. An artist is no different from anyone. She needed food, warmth, light, health, recognition and love. How many people like her are there whose mornings are darkened by indescribable sadness despite the brightening sun ?!!
