Photo : © Association Cité Falguière
Atelier 11 Open Studio: I Dream of Hygie
Join us at Atelier 11 for an Open Studio to meet our artist-in-residence, Vanessa Brown. As part of her L’AiR Arts residency at Atelier 11, Vanessa will develop a body of work that intersects representations of Hygieia and contemporary ex-voto forms.
Atelier 11 (Paris 15th)
About
In the third century AD, the sick and suffering on the Greek island of Paros reported dreams in which Hygieia, the goddess of health, cleanliness, and hygiene, appeared to offer purification and healing. In the island’s sanctuaries, ex-voto offerings in the form of braided hair were draped over her statues alongside precious textiles, offered in gratitude for restored health or in prayer for longevity. The word hygiene, the practice (or ritual) aimed at preserving health and well-being, is derived from the name Hygieia. In the Greek pantheon, Hygieia was the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine, whose serpent-entwined staff serves today as a modern symbol for pharmacy.
As an artist whose research focuses on votive objects, the body, healing, ritual, and clothing, Vanessa Brown is now interested in the symbols and visual language of pharmacology. During her residency at Atelier 11, she will develop a body of work intersecting representations of Hygieia and contemporary votive forms in colored glass, crafted using traditional stained glass soldering techniques. Vanessa Brown first explored this process in 2022 while creating Inheritances, a work that introduced many formal and conceptual issues she will deepen during this residency. The Louvre Museum holds a relief and a bust of Hygieia in its collections; during her residency, the artist will photograph these sculptures, which will serve as the raw material for her project.
Vanessa Brown (Canada / Luxembourg) works in sculpture, video, and installation. Her practice involves conveying subjective experiences through specific materials, particularly those with a rich history, such as metal and glass, which offer a direct and artisanal connection to craftsmanship. Nourished by research, Brown creates works that re-examine the historical uses of these materials to create new, unexpected affiliations, thus pushing the boundaries of their traditional applications.
Her practice is centered on the body—its presence, its needs, and its sensory experiences in space—which she explores through the prisms of clothing, adornment, and tactility. Her recent projects question how mourning, ritual, and transcendence manifest in material culture and architecture, weaving elements of healing, protection, and craftsmanship to evoke presence, care, and wonder.
Our take on this event
Ancient mythology meets modern craftsmanship in a unique residency that reimagines the healing goddess Hygie. Step into a vibrant creative space to discover how delicate stained glass is transformed into contemporary votive offerings reflecting on well-being and ritual.
On Friday, October 23, 2026, Atelier 11 hosts an open studio event featuring artist-in-residence Vanessa Brown and her project, I dream of Hygie. Visitors are invited to explore the artist's creative process as she bridges the ancient mythology of the Greek goddess of health with contemporary glasswork. The event takes place from 16:00 to 20:00 in the 15th arrondissement of Paris and is free to attend. This is a unique opportunity to witness how traditional stained-glass soldering techniques are being adapted to create modern votive forms inspired by historical artifacts.
Join us at Atelier 11 on October 23, 2026, for an exclusive look into the residency of multidisciplinary artist Vanessa Brown. From 16:00 to 20:00, the space will be open to the public, offering a deep dive into the artist's latest research on the intersection of pharmacology, the human body, and ritualistic objects. The project focuses on Hygie, the Greek goddess of health, whose historical legacy serves as the foundation for this collection.
During the residency, Brown has developed a series of colorful glass sculptures using traditional stained-glass soldering methods. These works draw conceptual inspiration from votive offerings and sculptures found within the Musée du Louvre. By repurposing these historical motifs, the artist explores how themes of healing, protection, and craftsmanship can manifest through contemporary materials like metal and glass.
Located at 11 Cité Falguière, this event is free for all attendees. It offers a rare chance to engage with an artistic practice that challenges traditional material usage while exploring sensory experiences and cultural history. Come learn about the techniques behind these intricate pieces and discover the visual language of healing through the lens of modern art.
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Light rain
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