ƒ PHILIPPE DEREUX (France, 1918-2001) L'IDOLE BRUNE, 1989 Mixed media on panel in a wood and Plexiglas case Signed lower left and dated "89-7" lower right Mixed media assembly on panel in a wood and Plexiglass case; signed lower left and dated "89-7" lower right 91 X 59,5 CM - 35 7/8 X 23 3/8 IN.PROVENANCE Galerie Alphonse Chave, Vence Collection of Mr B., Switzerland EXHIBITION Vence, Galerie Alphonse Chave, Théâtre d'épluchures, 13 July - 31 August 1989, reproduced in the exhibition catalogue (n. p.) "This use of peelings seems to me at first sight so simple and so natural that I am astonished that it was not until the twentieth century that someone had the idea of making use of them. On reflection, I find it normal. Only a century that studies and idolises matter could have led an artist to the kind of work I do. Through my work, I honour the God of Matter and pay him my tribute (...) I must point out another important fact in explaining the miracle of peelings. If it hadn't been for the 'art brut' discovered and virtually invented by Jean Dubuffet, the art par excellence of our time, which showed me that a person illiterate in the techniques of plastic creation could make paintings provided he had the vocation to do so, I would never have been tempted to glue together peelings and paint them. I am definitely of my time in every pore of my skin. Philippe Dereux, in. Pierre Chave presents XX ans d'épluchure : Philippe Dereux, Galerie Alphonse Chave, 1981, n. p.