Hélène Virolan; Avye Couloute
- Artist: Giana De Dier
- Date: 2025
- Medium: inkjet photomontage
- Dimensions: 4 1/8 in. x 2 1/2 in. (105 mm x 63 mm) overall
- Portrays: Avye Couloute, Hélène Virolan
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
In this compact inkjet photomontage, Giana De Dier places two faces side by side. The left portrait shows Hélène Virolan—born in 1970, she is a social entrepreneur who has championed STEM for women. In the right frame we see her daughter Avye Couloute, born in 2007, already coding at seven and founder of Girls into Coding. Their smiles are captured with bright detail, and the background blends subtle tones that highlight their connection. The small format invites you to look closely—notice the slight overlap of the frames, the printed texture, and how De Dier keeps each face clear while blending them in a single print. This work was loaned from Giana De Dier in 2025.
See it in person
Hélène Virolan; Avye Couloute is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
