Beauty becomes survival in ‘Midnight Bloom’ by Ornélie, at Corey Helford Gallery
French sculptor Ornélie presents a solo exhibition opening August 8, 2026 at Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, featuring hand-sculpted polymer clay portraits of female figures infused with gothic sensibility. The work explores resilience and psychological transformation through nocturnal imagery where beauty emerges as survival mechanism rather than fragility. Each piece is meticulously hand-painted with intricate details including eyes, fabrics, lace, flowers and insects. The exhibition title invokes the paradox of blooming in darkness—flowers rendered as emblems of quiet inner force manifesting despite adverse conditions. Thematically rooted in the artist’s investigation of femininity across historical and contemporary contexts, the sculptures inhabit liminal space between fairy-tale wonder and violent disillusionment. This exhibition marks the first chapter of a larger trilogy currently in development. The show runs through September 12, 2026, alongside anniversary programming and concurrent work by Molly Delvin.
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