Galerie Arcanes
Hélène Morbu France
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"Hélène Morbu, géométrie sensible"
Hélène Morbu. Galerie Arcanes
In Hélène Morbu’s work, the precision of her forms does not preclude a playful sense of whimsy. Her ceramic pieces, built around simple yet assertive geometric shapes, echo the spirit of the Memphis Group—one of her inspirations—whose boldness she reinterprets into a softer, more controlled style.
Porcelain stoneware is her playground for experimentation: she dyes the clay in the mass, creates pastel harmonies, and orchestrates a subtle dialogue between matte and glossy finishes, allowing for a delicate play of light. She uses various traditional techniques (the wheel, slab building, and molds), which she does not hesitate to rethink and subvert. Far from being limitations, the numerous technical constraints she imposes on herself nourish her work and open up unexpected paths, giving rise to a new vocabulary with clay.
Hélène Morbu makes full use of the plastic qualities of clay. Through precision and consistency, her gestures weave surfaces evoking mesh, textiles, or basketry, with a delicate refinement reminiscent of haute couture. The vase, her favorite subject, thus becomes a field of exploration where formal rigor, rich materiality, and delicate finishes come together.
Some of her works, featuring handles with original, lyrical shapes that disrupt the balance, can be perceived as a touch of humor and lightness—reflecting an artist with a constant smile who nonetheless produces work of the highest standard. Hélène Morbu, an interior designer, envisions her vases as totems—rare works resulting from a process that demands great patience and time.
Solo show of Hélène Morbu
From May 28 to June 20, 2026
The gallery
Specializing in 20th-century decorative arts, Galerie Arcanes opened its doors in 2003 on Rue de Lille, in the heart of the Carré Rive Gauche, before moving to Rue Bonaparte, in the legendary Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood.
In January 2026, the gallery began a new chapter in the Village Saint Paul, in the heart of the Marais, focusing on 20th-century and contemporary ceramics, as well as textile art.
True to its commitment to creativity, Galerie Arcanes presents a refined universe dominated by noble materials: ceramics, terracotta, textiles, wood, and wicker. The atmosphere is warm and intimate. Partnering with renowned artists on the art market, including Brigitte Marionneau, Gustavo Pérez, Hélène Morbu, and Jean Girel, the gallery is committed to promoting artists who rigorously and innovatively explore the potential of materials, glazes, and form. This work explores the boundary between tradition and invention, in a setting that prioritizes high standards, aesthetic coherence, and artistic research.
With this new location, Galerie Arcanes confirms its place among the key players in the decorative arts and contemporary design scene.
