What looks like abstraction… is literature, layered in silence.
At first glance, François du Plessis's works appear purely abstract: sculptural rhythms, quiet circles, fossil-like formations made of color and texture. But step closer-and the surface begins to whisper. A spine. A hint of faded type. A silk bookmark peeking out, like a secret left behind.
What you're seeing are books. Pressed, cut, rearranged. Forgotten volumes transformed into luminous wall pieces that hover between painting and sculpture, between memory and material. It's not obvious-and that's exactly the point.
Born in Zimbabwe, raised in South Africa, and based in Germany since the late '80s, du Plessis doesn't just work with books-he listens to them. Every artwork is an invitation to look slower, dig deeper, and rediscover the sensuality of reading through form, weight, and rhythm.
Viewers often stand in front of his works without realizing what they're made of. Then something clicks. And suddenly, what felt minimal becomes rich with layers, meanings, and questions. That moment of recognition is where the journey begins.
In addition to his exhibitions and international collectors, du Plessis also creates personal, one-of-a-kind pieces from the books of those who've lost someone dear.
A bookshelf once filled with stories becomes a single, powerful object-a sculptural memory, preserving presence through material. These bespoke works carry an emotional weight that goes far beyond art: they become timeless vessels of remembrance.
Today, du Plessis's pieces are part of international collections and have been exhibited at major fairs such as Art Miami. His art speaks without noise. It invites curiosity. And for those willing to stay a moment longer, it unfolds-quietly, powerfully, like a story you didn't expect to love.