15 november 2024, Wouter van den Eijkel
20 Years of Ciou at KochxBos: Bring your magnifying glass!
KochxBos Gallery celebrates Ciou's 20th anniversary with a retrospective exhibition of her work. Over the past two decades, the French artist has become one of the key figures in pop surrealism, an international movement renowned for its imaginative visuals and exceptional technical skill and detail. The latter is particularly true for Ciou—so don't forget your magnifying glass!
KochxBos has collaborated with Ciou (France, 1981) since 2009. Over time, the French artist has evolved into a pivotal figure in pop surrealism. Works in this genre often feature narratives infused with playful and fantastical elements, alongside satire and criticism of society, culture, and consumerism. They frequently incorporate iconography and symbols from various subcultures and showcase an extraordinary level of technical skill and detail.
Ciou’s central role is evident in the four editions of Popland that she has curated at KochxBos since 2020. In these group exhibitions, she not only introduces emerging talents to a broader audience but also presents works by artists rarely seen in the Netherlands, including major names like Junko Mizuno, Chuck Sperry, and CreatureCreature.
Ciou, Lucky Charm Tree, 2022, KochxBos Gallery
An international niche
Pop surrealism occupies a niche in the art world—a relatively small one in the Netherlands but significant internationally. The term "audience" doesn’t fully capture the dedication of its fans, who might better be described as enthusiasts. For instance, works from 2010 to 2016 are missing from this current retrospective because an admirer purchased them all in one go.
Gallery owner Hans Bos is familiar with the type of audience Ciou's work attracts. “A few years ago, a man would stand at our window display every day around lunchtime, staring at one of her pieces. One day, he finally said, I get it! Buyers are often people who process a lot of information, such as those with IT backgrounds.” Ciou’s work is especially popular in the Netherlands, the U.S., Australia, and Japan.
Ciou, Dream walkers II, 2024, KochxBos Gallery
Kawaii and indigo backgrounds
Japan has profoundly influenced Ciou's art. As a child, she read manga such as Astroboy, the legendary 1960s series by Tetsuwan Atomu. A trip to Japan in 2010 marked a significant shift in her style. Previously, she used pages from old encyclopedias as backgrounds; afterward, she began creating works with cosmic indigo backgrounds. "This leaves the viewer unsure of where they are—underwater or in the sky," the artist explained during the opening.
Since then, Ciou has traveled to Japan annually, drawn by its craftsmanship and attention to detail. "I love control in my work, and you see that in Japanese manga and printmaking as well."
Ciou’s visual language draws on manga and the kawaii subculture, the latter meaning “cute” or “adorable.” She has created her own cosmology of characters, predominantly witch-like burlesque girls and their unique animal companions. Each piece is meticulously crafted with Rotring pens with 1mm tips.
Her recent large-scale drawings and paintings on display at KochxBos can take up to 700 hours to complete. For someone with a full-time job, that’s nearly 18 weeks—or about four months. The result is a detailed masterpiece where you discover something new every time, requiring a magnifying glass to appreciate even the tiniest intricacies.
CIOU 20 Years in the Arts runs until November 23 at KochxBos.
The gallery is open from 1 PM to 6 PM, and by appointment at any time.
The works are also available to view online via this link.
Ciou, Planet of Utopia, 2024, KochxBos Gallery
