Inventory

A collection of impressionist artists postcards collaged on the wall, obtained during her visit to the Musee d’Orsay
A vintage clock patterned with floral print, no batteries, clock hands wait at 12.20, given as a present from my mother
Photograph of girl in a bright yellow dress running through trees, obtained when I was 17
A door leaning on the wall, encasing a mirror, rustically marked in white, acquired from a thrift shop
A pair of pink imitation ballet shoes sitting on a pile of magazines, very thin soul, never been worn. Obtained in Sydney
An elaborate tea cup, pearls overflowing the rim. Received as a gift
A copy of On the Road, Jack Kerouac, stolen from my sister a year ago
A white imprinted ribbon with bold black letters repeating Chanel, tied to my mirror last year, obtained from gift wrap
A worn white glove, not by me
A doll keychain wrapped around memory stick, from Japan a present from a friend
A glass globe which my mother put on the right hand side of my windowsill
A draw full of unused ribbons, lace, old love letters
A box of saved childhood teeth
A French dictionary, used during high school


Ophelie Linkous
Biography-
Conceived and raised in Toulouse, France 1978. Born to a French mother, Ophelie Linkous was raised by strict catholic rules. Her mother was a ballet teacher and a dancer. She commented on her melancholy childhood, “I was able to save all my teeth as a child; there was no such thing as a tooth fairy in my house”. Constantly compelled by her mother’s stern methods of parenting, Ophelie Linkous left her native country as soon as she completed high school. In search of new beginning she ran away from home taking her beloved friend Kerouac with her. This young dreamer had a romantic openness and wanted to find freedom. She ran and 5 years later her search of success and new purpose was found. She showed an early talent in drawing and collating a manner of nonsense.
She followed her desires to the San Francisco Art Institute, California. With dreams of being a successful artist, she studied Visual Arts (2001). Completing her degree she collaborated with Kota Ezawa and Xing Danwen which lead her to her first exhibition at Haines Gallery, San Francisco (2008).
Her journey in life has taken her from a Visual arts student to a scruffy studio in east of London. Ophelie Linkous moved to the UK where she worked as a freelance illustrator for the magazine le gun. Her favourite haunts include fashion illustrations, sombre colours, soulless ballerina’s and clocks that never tick. She is now an artist based in London.

The pearl writing to Jovana

You held me when you were feeling sad
You carried me when you were smiling,
I listened to your heart beat faster
I glistened even when you weren’t trying –
You twirled me,
You broke me,
You restrung me.
Your hands seized me, when you tried to run
But you didn’t realise I wasn’t going anywhere,
I was stronger,
I was never done.
You used me as a thrill
A fascination,
Beauty, charm and kill.
Don’t you understand I’m by your side,
I’m something you cannot set free,
Because you know I’m tied.
I love it when I dance with you,
I love the rhythm of your body.
I love when you’re cold you wrap me under your layers,
And in summer you charm me in your silk—
If I asked you to lay me down,
You would take me to the safest place,
I was never in line for the chase,
Lay down your guard.
I’m sick of feeling so small,
Against you,
I constantly feel like I have hit a wall,
Why do we keep clashing together? –
I’m never first
Is it because I’m an ornament to you,
I’m underestimated,
Why do I constantly have to get in this queue?
I’m fixated on only you. –
How many times do I have to prove this?,
I’ll be there today,
I’ll be there tomorrow,
I’ll only leave if you throw me away.—
I’m always speechless,
I’m stone cold,
Just wear me today.
Don’t leave me astray
When you know I’m the gleam of your every smile.
You can see when you press down on me,
Even when you walk all over me,
I’ll stay strong and never break.
It’s you, who has to learn to trust,
That even if I’m an ornament to you,
I will stay by your side
And walk with you,
with pride.