Art by Manou
Originally from Belgium, Valérie Manouvrier, also known by her artistic name Manou, has nurtured her passion for art from an early age, excelling in the fields of graphic and interior design before embarking on her journey as a professional artist.
Based in the United Arab Emirates for over a decade, Manou channels her expression through kilometres of ballpoint pen ink. While a pen’s original function is to write stories with words, Manou has reimagined this tool, using it to evoke emotions through kilometres of lines and vibrant pop-inspired colours, all characteristic of her unique and distinctive technique.
The journey began in 2014 when Manou visited the BIC® factory in South Africa, and ever since, she's been captivated by this instrument reinventing its purpose. Shortly thereafter, BIC® invited her to join their Art Foundation Committee in 2017.
Manou's training in fine arts and graphic design, completed in Belgium, along with her spatial design studies at the Design School in Johannesburg, South Africa, have equipped her with a keen eye for color harmony, graphic elements, and form balance. These skills, along with her pursuit of perfection in detail, are now integral to her artistic work.
Drawn to anything that reflects light and brings out colors, Manou uses objects with shiny surfaces and metallic hues as the subjects of her creation, allowing her to showcase her unique technique and create a striking visual effect.
The ballpoint pen offers a limited palette, pushing Manou to create new tones by blending existing ones. Moreover, the artist has no room for error, as the ink cannot be erased. To Manou, this is the very essence of art: pushing existing boundaries and creating new narratives.
Her mastery of this medium alongside her contemporary iconography, have gained recognition worldwide, drawing the attention of collectors from Seoul to the United States of America, France, and Dubai.
Kilometers of Art
"Like a painter with a brush, I use a ballpoint pen to create visual stories through kilometers of lines and vibrant colors. My creation is based on solid aesthetic foundations that promote contemplation and connection. I follow my instincts, I am attuned to my emotions, and I hope that it results in something meaningful. "
Valérie Manouvrier
Valérie Manouvrier
.Artworks
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