JENK

Laurence Jenk © Marciano Contemporary

Laurence Jenk’s work was awarded the prestigious Medal of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on September 8, 2021, by Eric Ciotti.

“The candy is inseparable from my work, it is and will remain my favorite subject, and the twist my source of inspiration”.

Laurence Jenkell, today known as JENK, was born in Bourges in 1965. Her artistic career, far from the traditional paths, is illustrated by its singularity. The requirements of a first marriage seemed to constrain her access to any creative process. Until the day when, in the secret of her kitchen, during a silent tête-à-tête with her domestic oven, she makes melted candy dough. This chance encounter is a rebirth. Stemming from old frustrations, deprivation and alienation, candies become the vector of her liberation.   

As an autodidact, JENK will thus elaborate the concept of wrapping. This formal twist of the material is embodied as the formal expression of suffering. By its elaboration, the artist exorcises her demons. Neutralized by the sweetness of the subject, the candy becomes the allegory of a revenge. Formerly synonymous with frustration, it is now the materialization of her liberation. By means of her creation, the artist works at her reconstruction, at her own invention.

The irresistible smoothness of the syrupy color flows beguiles the viewer. Candor of the subject is responsible for charming and bewitching him. Through the materials used and the motif represented, the artist plays on his irrepressible desire to consume. Here, the sculpture materializes the desire. Captivated by the acidulous colors, the spectator reconnects with the sweetness of his childhood memories. The candy wrappings invoke a story as personal as it is universal. While questions of identity and the revelation of one’s deepest nature are at the heart of Laurence Jenkell’s production, the artist recently decided to change her signature in order to fully reclaim her identity. Jenkell becomes JENK.

Laurence JENK’s work is represented by numerous galleries and private, public and institutional collections. Her works are notably part of the collections of François Pinault, Martin Bouygues or Françoise Bettencourt. The wrappings invest many foundations such as Chanel and Gabarron. Her  works are also part of the permanent collections of various museums such as the Calais Fine Arts Museum, the Coca Museum, the Copelouzos Family Art Museum in Athens or the Chambery Fine Arts Museum. Find her creations in our Marciano Contemporary galleries.

SCULPTURES

Laurence Jenk - Wrapping Bonbon Bleu klein 2021, Plexiglass 84 cm | 33 1/10 in Unique © Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Blue outremer

2022, Plexiglass
85 cm | 33 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste Wrapping Bonbon Gold © Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Gold

2022, Plexiglass
85 cm | 33 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon Monumental Rouge<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Monumental Red

2022, Plexiglass
190 cm | 74 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk - Wrapping Bonbon Orange 2021 Plexiglass 84 cm | 33 1/10 in Unique © Marciano Contemporary
Wrapping Bonbon Orange

2021
Plexiglass
84 cm | 33 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon blanc nacre<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon White

2022, Plexiglass
84 cm | 33 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste  Wrapping Bonbon bleu  © Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Blue

2022, Plexiglass
84 cm | 33 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk - Wrapping Bonbon Rouge 2021, Plexiglass 85 cm | 33 in Unique © Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Red

2022, Plexiglass
84 cm | 33 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk - Wrapping Bonbon Argent 2021 Plexiglass 84 cm | 33 1/10 in Unique © Marciano Contemporary
Wrapping Bonbon Outremer

2022
Plexiglass
41 cm | 16 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste Wrapping Bonbon Rouge © Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Red

2021, Plexiglass
45 cm | 16 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk - Wrapping Bonbon Argent 2021 Plexiglass 84 cm | 33 1/10 in Unique © Marciano Contemporary
Wrapping Orange

2022
Plexiglass
41 cm | 16 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste Wrapping Bonbon fuschia © Marciano Contemporary
Wrapping Bonbon Pink

2021, Plexiglass
45 cm | 16 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon Chocolat nacre<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Chocolat

2021, Plexiglass
23 cm | 9 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon transparent peint<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Paint

2021, Plexiglass
23 cm | 9 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon gold<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Gold

2021, Plexiglass
23 cm | 9 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon Irise radiant<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Radiant

2021, Plexiglass
23 cm | 9 1/10 in
Unique

Laurence Jenk Artiste<br />
Wrapping Bonbon Rouge<br />
© Marciano Contemporary

Wrapping Bonbon Red

2021, Plexiglass
23 cm | 9 1/10 in
Unique