Known for her introspective and evocative portraiture, Lanoy’s work invites the viewer into a world where emotion and form intertwine in delicate harmony.
Her paintings are instantly recognisable for their distinctive colour palettes and a quiet, melancholic calm that emanates from each piece. In For Intérieur, each portrait features a solitary figure against an anonymous backdrop, often made up of flat planes of colour, undefined interiors, or geometric patterns.
These sparse environments heighten the emotional tension within the figures themselves, creating a sense of solitude and quiet reflection.
Lanoy masterfully imbues her subjects with an air of mystery. There gazes, often sidelong, suggest a depth of thought, as if they are lost in their own introspection—or perhaps silently engaging with the viewer. This enigmatic quality extends to their surroundings.
The carefully selected colours of the background play a key role in setting the emotional tone of the piece, complementing the figure in ways that allow the viewer to sense an unspoken connection between the two.
The title For Intérieur refers to a well-known French expression, evoking the internal space where one’s conscience resides—a place of self-reflection where one judges their actions, thoughts, and intentions.
Lanoy’s portraits explore this psychological space, capturing silent, restrained emotion. While the faces may not show overt expressions, each one serves as a study in the subtleties of an inner state. Small shifts in tone, a slight tilt of the head, or a fleeting glance expose the characters’ private worlds, allowing us to witness their thoughts and feelings in a nuanced, almost imperceptible way.
In For Intérieur, Lanoy transforms her subjects into a shared emotional landscape, where each figure converses with the other through the silent language of paint. The interaction between the portraits creates a quiet dialogue, as if each figure’s internal world reaches out to connect with the others.
Emotions are not just displayed across the faces of the figures but are also subtly woven into the shared space, creating a collective atmosphere that resonates beyond the individual.
Before becoming a celebrated painter, Lanoy worked in the fashion and design industries after studying architecture, eventually attending the Beaux-Arts School and the Jean Sablé School of Decorative Painting.
Her works have been exhibited internationally, including at The Visionary Project in New York and Seefood Room in Hong Kong, further establishing her reputation as a distinctive voice in contemporary art.
