Michel Parmentier

France, 1938

Studied in Paris à l’ École des Métiers d’Art. There, he met Daniel Buren, and together with Olivier Mosset and Niele Toroni, they formed the art group B.M.P.T. in 1966. This group challenged traditional ideas about painting and often worked together to create exhibitions that questioned the role of the artist and the art world.

Parmentier’s early work gained attention in the Paris art scene, particularly after winning the Prix Lefranc in 1963. His style evolved significantly, moving away from expressive painting to a more systematic approach, heavily influenced by Simon Hantaï’s technique of “pliage” (folding). Parmentier’s method involved folding canvas, applying color, and then unfolding it to reveal patterns of stripes. This method became central to his work from 1965 onwards.

In 1967, after contributing to several group exhibitions and collaborative projects, Parmentier decided to stop painting altogether for 15 years. During this time, he continued to reflect on art, though he did not produce new work. When he returned to painting in 1983, he resumed his method of creating striped canvases, initially in black and white. 

Parmentier’s later works, including experiments with newspaper and tracing paper, reflected his ongoing exploration of materials and techniques. He remained active in the art world until his death in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of challenging and innovative work.

Represented by Larkin Erdmann, Switzerland.