Overview

Pierre le Riche (b. 1986, Gqeberha, South Africa) is a multidisciplinary artist working across modes of sculpture and installation, widely recognized for his use of textiles and thread. Identity is woven into and essential to his practice; much of his work has been aimed at confronting themes of colonialism and race, as well as challenging norms and associations around gender and sexuality. For his recent body of fiber-based work, le Riche creates vibrant and provocative figurative tapestries that center his queer identity while reflecting on the complexities of belonging in a contemporary world.

 

Le Riche holds a Master of Fine Arts with distinction from the University of Cape Town and has since worked as a full-time artist, curator, and potter. He has exhibited in solo and group shows across South Africa and abroad, participated in international art fairs, including 1-54 in London and AKAA in Paris, and created installations for global brands such as Daimler and Cartier. His large-scale thread installation Rainbow Rooms has been part of traveling exhibitions in the USA and China since 2018.

Works
  • Pierre le Riche, The Ritual of Urns, 2026
    The Ritual of Urns, 2026
  • Pierre le Riche, Intersection Study 1, 2025
    Intersection Study 1, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, Intersection Study 2, 2025
    Intersection Study 2, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, Intersection Study 4, 2025
    Intersection Study 4, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, Study for The Grappling, 2025
    Study for The Grappling, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, Absorb, 2025
    Absorb, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, The Decision, 2025
    The Decision, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, The Grappling, 2025
    The Grappling, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, The Worshipping, 2025
    The Worshipping, 2025
  • Pierre le Riche, Conformable 1, 2021
    Conformable 1, 2021
  • Pierre le Riche, Conformable 2, 2021
    Conformable 2, 2021
  • Pierre le Riche, Conformable 3, 2021
    Conformable 3, 2021
  • Pierre le Riche, Searching for Greener Pastures, 2023
    Searching for Greener Pastures, 2023
  • Pierre le Riche, Urns for the Ashes of my Lost Lovers, 2021
    Urns for the Ashes of my Lost Lovers, 2021
  • Pierre le Riche, Counting the Hours on the Zebra Hide, 2021
    Counting the Hours on the Zebra Hide, 2021
  • Pierre le Riche, You Cant’t Take Me in Colour, 2023
    You Cant’t Take Me in Colour, 2023
  • Pierre le Riche, Confrontation (sketch), 2023
  • Pierre le Riche, You Can’t Take Me in Colour (sketch), 2022
    You Can’t Take Me in Colour (sketch), 2022
  • Pierre le Riche, Self-Portrait in Sleep (sketch), 2021
    Self-Portrait in Sleep (sketch), 2021
  • Pierre le Riche, In Four Places at Once (sketch), 2023
    In Four Places at Once (sketch), 2023
  • Pierre le Riche, Flaccid Penis (maquette), 2021
    Flaccid Penis (maquette), 2021
Series
Exhibitions
Blog