vichy normand

Carreaux normand is a popular woven fabric with a red, white and black checkerboard design. The gingham, called vichy normand, is used in France for tablecloth and napkins. Gingham fabrics such as the carreaux normand and the fine pink cotton gingham/vichy or guingan were often used by the artist’s mother, Paulette Dupré (née Berthelot).

Guingans were originally manufactured on the Coromandel Coast, India and imported from Pondicherry, the head quarter of the French East Indian Company.

Carreaux normand, 2019. Wall installation. Photo © Carl Fox, Photography
Carreaux normand, 2019. Wall installation detail. Photo © Carl Fox, Photography

Vichy, Paulette, 2019. Wall piece. Photo © Carl Fox, Photography

Vichy, Paulette, 2019. Wall piece detail. Photo © Carl Fox, Photography
Carreaux normand. Fabric purchased in Paris, 2019. Photo © Françoise Dupré



Gingham fabric and dress made and worn by Paulette Dupré, 1950s. Images © Françoise Dupré Archive  


Old kitchen apron made and worn by Paulette Dupré. Images © Françoise Dupré Archive  


Carreaux normands, 2019. Wall installation. Stitch: Running stitch/Point devant. Washi (Japanese paper), Kozo (mulberry); DMC Mouliné Spécial, stranded cotton embroidery thread; linen thread; dowel pine rod; white metal rings; ink printed motif transferred from early-20th century rubber cylinder. 0m70 H (variable) x 0m62 W x 0m08 D 1m70 H from floor

Vichy, Paulette, 2019. Wall piece. Stitch: Running stitch/Point devant. Washi (Japanese paper), Kozo (mulberry); DMC Mouliné Spécial, stranded cotton embroidery thread; dressmaking steel pins. 0m46 H x 0m62 W