FAREWELL TO ARGENTINE ARTIST AND ARTISAN MARTHA LE PARC

Textile artist Martha Le Parc passed away in Paris at the age of 88, surrounded by her children and her first husband, the iconic kinetic artist Julio Le Parc. Despite having been separated for decades, they spent their final days together at the American Hospital in the French capital after battling a severe lung infection.

FAREWELL TO ARGENTINE ARTIST AND ARTISAN MARTHA LE PARC

Born in Argentina, Martha studied at the National School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, where she met Julio in 1955. Nine years younger than him, they began a relationship that led to their marriage and relocation to Paris in 1959 when he received a scholarship. Their shared passion for art and creativity extended to their family and artistic legacy.

 

Martha found her artistic voice in textile art, where she fused tradition with modernity. Throughout her career, she collaborated with renowned fashion houses such as Dior, Givenchy, and Paco Rabanne. However, when Rabanne suggested she devote herself entirely to fashion design, she chose to prioritize her family life and artistic exploration. Her creations, characterized by the use of materials such as satin, velvet, and taffeta, reflect the influence of Indigenous cultures from America, Asia, and Africa.

Her work ranged from designing theatrical costumes to creating tapestries and murals, which were exhibited in various countries. In 2020, her exhibition Artist or Artisan? at the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Buenos Aires and L'Orangerie in Paris reaffirmed her vision of craftsmanship as a bridge between memory, history, and artistic expression. For her, craftsmanship was "culture, memory, dreams, and history," a concept she defended throughout her career.

 

Her legacy will be honored in an exhibition dedicated to her at London’s Tate Modern in 2026, recognizing her impact on textile art and her ability to transcend established categories. According to critic Domitille d'Orgeval-Azzi, her work challenged the boundaries between contemporary art and craftsmanship, a stance that Martha herself upheld in line with Bauhaus ideals.

Julio Le Parc, who survived the same respiratory illness that affected Martha, shared an emotional message on social media: "Farewell to the love of my life, my wife, my muse, the mother of my three sons and the great artist that you are. Always present in my life until the end, thank you for having been there in the best and most difficult moments of our lives. Your three sons Juan, Gabriel, Yamil, your five grandchildren Luna, Mateo, Salvador, Alma and Iman are with you and we are infinitely grateful that you have always been by our side.”

 

Martha Le Parc leaves behind a powerful legacy of art, creativity, and passion, paving the way for future generations. Her work, which blended aesthetics with tradition, remains alive in museums and collections worldwide, and her spirit will endure in the memories of those who knew and admired her talent.

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