Born 1960 London, England

Her sculptures use materials such as glass, paper, metal and leather. They frequently juxtapose seductive soft elements, often with strongly sexual overtones, with harder materials, often spikey or in some way appearing to constrain the softer parts, resulting in work which is both sensual and threatening.

De Monchaux's work from the early 1990s often achieves this effect by the combination of red velvet and steel in simple and strong constructions, but later works have tended to move towards lighter colours, and a more ornamental approach.

Cathy de Monchaux was shortlisted for the turner prize in 1998. she exhibits regularly, particularly in paris, and early in 1996 had a one-person exhibition at the sean kelly gallery in new york. she had a major solo exhibition at the whitechapel gallery, london, in 1997 and further exhibitions in new york in 1998-99.