Galerie Cerise

Beginning in 1975, I undertook a series of interventions at exhibition openings in Paris, appearing dressed as a chef. Slung across my shoulder was a wooden crate filled with cherry cakes that I baked myself. I offered them for sale at affordable prices, alongside small blue-painted fabric pieces, each marked with a cherry, which were sold for 20 francs.

These actions took place in numerous Parisian galleries (including Lara Vincy, Eric Fabre, Sonnabend, Iris Clert, Durand-Dessert, Templon, Bama, Yvon Lambert, Facchetti, and Stadler) where I quickly became acquainted with artists, gallerists, and critics such as Raymond Hains, André Cadere, and Robert Malaval.

n 1976, Henri Jobbé-Duval invited me to take part in the first edition of the FIAC at the Grand Palais. For the occasion, I purchased, for 500 francs, a former bakery delivery tricycle that I had discovered in Parnay. I restored it and transformed it into a genuine mobile gallery.

A pastry chef supplied me with 200 cherry tartlets for the FIAC opening. Throughout the duration of the fair, I moved through the aisles dressed as a chef, selling pastries and small paintings that I carried in the tricycle.

Intervention at the Mâcon market, on the occasion of the artist’s solo exhibition at the Galerie des Ursulines, directed by Nicole Rousset Altounian.

Invited once again to the FIAC, I further developed the project by adding a metal structure that allowed me to display my paintings. Andy Warhol purchased one of my works, gave me several signed posters, and autographed my chef’s hat. That same year, ORLAN presented Le Baiser de l'artiste.

For more than two years, I regularly travelled around Paris with my Cherry Gallery, selling cakes and artworks at exhibition openings.

Photographs by Henri Jobbé-Duval.

Trans-Théâtres Festival, May 21–29, at Le Palace, Paris.
Organized by Libération and Le Palace.
By invitation of Nadia Croquet.

At the CCC in Tours, on the occasion of the artist’s solo exhibition in 2006–2007.