Marie-Jo Lafontaine

Marie-Jo Lafontaine is a contemporary conceptual artist born in Belgium. She is best known for her sculptures and videos, but she also works with textiles, tapestry, video installations, and photography. Notable works by Lafontaine include Dance the World! (2008), a lyrical film documenting dancers performing Flamenco and Tango; Steel Tears (1987), a video sculpture; and Babylon Babies, a series of large-format portrait photographs of teenagers set against monochromatic backgrounds, also published in book form.
Lafontaine’s work focuses on human existence in its many forms. Her photography has sometimes been described as documentary in style, while her themes often carry an existential quality. Her compositions capture the beauty and intrigue of the world around us, or present people without contextual references that might influence the viewer’s interpretation. Her work encourages audiences to see the world differently, inviting them to reflect on her constructed environments and to experience familiar images with fresh eyes.
Her books have been published in several languages, including French, German, and English, and are held in libraries and bookstores around the world. Lafontaine’s work has been exhibited at LACMA, Tate Gallery, Centre Georges Pompidou, and the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. (Artist website)