The historic French city of Troyes, already renowned as a major glass center thanks to its prestigious Cité du Vitrail, is hosting an exceptional exhibition featuring thirteen of the world's finest glass artists and contemporary sculptors. The exhibition, titled "Presence of Glass in Contemporary Art," runs through October 12 and showcases an extraordinary collection of works that highlight the evolution of glass as a medium in modern artistic expression.
The exhibition is curated by Jean-François Lemaire, a highly respected local sculptor and glass artist who has become one of France's most recognized self-taught masters in the field. Originally from Haute-Marne, Lemaire has operated his workshop in Aube since 1993, along with his Artes gallery, which offers year-round visits to art enthusiasts. His expertise and reputation in glass artistry made him the ideal choice to orchestrate this world-class showcase.
"This is our second biennial exhibition, and I hope it will continue for many years to come," explains Lemaire, who serves as the exhibition's commissioner. "We launched a comprehensive selection process and received 52 applications for the exhibition. From these, we selected 13 works of exceptional quality and artistic merit." The rigorous selection process ensured that only the most outstanding pieces would be featured in this prestigious showcase.
The exhibition takes place in the Festival Hall of Pont-Sainte-Marie, located in the Troyes metropolitan area, coinciding perfectly with France's Heritage Days 2025. This timing allows visitors to experience both traditional and contemporary approaches to glass artistry, creating a comprehensive cultural experience that spans centuries of craftsmanship and innovation.
Among the featured international artists is Anda Munkevica from Latvia, whose works are permanently displayed in prestigious locations including New York, Japan, and Germany. Born in Riga, Munkevica has participated in nearly 60 exhibitions worldwide since 1996, establishing herself as a leading figure in contemporary glass art. Her contributions to the Troyes exhibition represent some of her most innovative recent work.
The exhibition also features Anne Peters, born in Dresden, Germany, who currently resides in London. Peters is known for her poetic approach to glass manipulation, creating works characterized by their gentle, flowing forms that seem to capture light and movement in frozen moments. Her artistic philosophy emphasizes the delicate balance between strength and fragility inherent in glass as a medium.
French artist Hélène Triboulet brings a vibrant, colorful dimension to the exhibition with her dynamic works. Splitting her time between Paris and Pas-de-Calais, Triboulet's pieces are expected to be particularly well-received by the public due to their bold use of color and contemporary aesthetic appeal. Her work represents the cutting edge of French glass artistry and demonstrates the medium's potential for bold, expressive statements.
One of the most compelling and socially conscious contributions comes from Jean-Claude Ourdouillie, whose work addresses historical and social themes through glass sculpture. His piece "Salles des Pendues" (The Hanging Room), crafted entirely in glass, stands as one of the exhibition's masterpieces. Ourdouillie also presents glass miner costumes, usually exhibited in Charleroi, Belgium, which serve as a powerful historical commentary on the mining heritage that shaped Northern France and Wallonia.
The diversity of artistic approaches and cultural perspectives represented in the exhibition creates a rich tapestry of contemporary glass art. Each artist brings their unique universe and vision to the medium, demonstrating glass's versatility as an artistic material and its capacity to convey everything from delicate beauty to powerful social commentary.
Beyond the main exhibition, the month-long celebration of glass art includes numerous conferences and related events. These supplementary programs will take place at both the Cité du Vitrail and the Museum of Modern Art, creating a comprehensive cultural experience that bridges traditional and contemporary glass artistry.
"This is a very important occasion for us," emphasizes Lemaire. "We're trying to create connections between the glass you can discover in its more ancient forms at the Cité du Vitrail and the contemporary work on display at the Museum of Modern Art." This curatorial approach allows visitors to understand the evolution of glass as an artistic medium and appreciate both its historical significance and contemporary potential.
The exhibition is open to the public free of charge from Tuesday through Sunday, 2 PM to 6 PM, at the Festival Hall of Pont-Sainte-Marie. This accessibility ensures that the extraordinary collection of international glass art can be enjoyed by visitors from all backgrounds, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the entire region and beyond.
