The Gallery of Faces arose from a collaboration between Peggy Bonnet Vergara, a French art historian, Jaime Umana, a Costa Rican visual artist, and Hans Vergara, a Cuban visual artist. This artistic project involves the creation, using the technique of casting, of a collection of faces from around the world — the first stage of which focused on the islanders of Oceania.

To collect a range of facial features reflecting the ethnic diversity of the local population, to preserve traits that are both unique and distinctive, and to artistically showcase this morphological collection without any racial or sexual discrimination or any infringement upon human dignity: these are the objectives of the Conservatorio.

The project has been exhibited at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa (2011), the Bernheim Library in Nouméa (2011) and the Palmeraie du Sarthou in France (2023), amongst other venues.

Sociedad

Centre Culturel Tjibaou, Nouméa, 2011.


Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 004
Sociedad
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 003
Sociedad
Conservatoire des faciès — Terreau universel
Terreau universel
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 005
Sociedad
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 006
Sociedad
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 007
Sociedad
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 008
Sociedad
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 009
Sociedad — Tjibaou
Conservatoire des faciès — Sociedad 011
Sociedad — Tjibaou
Conservatoire des faciès — Tabu
Tabu

Fragile

Bibliothèque Bernheim, Nouméa, 2011.


Conservatoire des faciès — Fragile 04
Fragile
Conservatoire des faciès — Fragile 03
Fragile
Conservatoire des faciès — Fragile 01
Fragile

Land art

Masques en ciment et végétaux.


Conservatoire des faciès — Land art 4
Land art
Conservatoire des faciès — Land art 1
Land art
Conservatoire des faciès — Land art 5
Land art
Conservatoire des faciès — Land art 2
Land art
Conservatoire des faciès — Land art 3
Land art

Learn more about the project

For any information about the Conservatory of Faces, its exhibitions, or to get involved, please contact Hans Christian Vergara directly.

Contact the artist