Sophie Dherbecourt’s practice is deeply rooted in her desire to challenge conventional representations of women in art. Starting from a place of frustration with how womanhood has been depicted throughout history, the artist strives to illustrate a more complex and authentic portrayal of the female body, one that embraces both power and vulnerability. Through her work, Dherbecourt redefines femininity in contemporary society, confronting how women exist within patriarchy and reclaiming their bodies from traditional, often limiting representations. Central to her practice is a focus on the soft, female gaze, which seeks to reshape how femininity is viewed and validated, particularly in the context of societal expectations.

Dherbecourt’s relationship to Surrealism is integral to her exploration of femininity (a central theme in Carrington’s oeuvre), transformation, and the subconscious. The artist began to engage with Surrealist concepts more consciously over the last year, drawing inspiration from dreamscapes, symbolic imagery, and Freudian theories of the unconscious. Dherbecourt’s work reflects an intuitive, almost automatic creative process, where her subconscious guides the composition, allowing the duality between the conscious and unconscious mind to shape the imagery. She uses dreams as a tool for liberation, creating art that bridges the tension between the real and the imaginary. Dherbecourt embraces the magic and sublimity inherent in Surrealism, creating pieces that are deeply introspective and exploratory, focusing on the inner self, self-awareness, and self-love.

In her exhibited works, Dherbecourt addresses these themes through compelling visual language. 'A Soft Guilt' confronts societal expectations of the female body and the need for validation based on appearance. The painting features a figure trapped in a tight corset, symbolizing the constraints imposed by patriarchal histories and traditions. The butterfly and moth motifs, drawn from mysticism, embody the duality of attraction and destruction - creatures attracted by light, which can however burn them - representing the paradox of seeking validation from a society that can be both welcoming and harmful. This painting serves as a reclamation of power, turning the traditional image of the corset on its head by acknowledging its oppressive nature while subverting its control. Through these works, Dherbecourt’s art invites the viewer into a space where self-awareness, dreams, and the complexity of femininity intersect, offering a space for both vulnerability and strength.

Sophie Dherbecourt (b. 1992, France) is a self-taught oil painter. After shifting from her career as an art director in 2018, the artist refined her style exploring the human body as both a language and an emotional vessel. In 2023, Dherbecourt had her first solo show at Au Roi in Paris, and her work has been featured in group shows internationally including at Le Reservoir, in Sète (France) and HEIMAT Los Angeles (US). ‘After Leonora: Echoes of Surrealism’ marks Dherbecourt's first exhibition in the UK.