The daughter of an agronomist, and from a family of high-ranking officers and magistrates on her mother's side, Louise Tournay studied medicine before working as a home health aide from 1954. She cared for patients in their homes, particularly those with cancer, which led her to write a book, "Hantise" (Haunting), which was never published. The book explored the importance of psychological trauma and its influence on cancer treatment.

In 1977, she enrolled at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Liège but found herself unable to complete the exercises assigned by her professors. She then created a large number of small terracotta statuettes, some of which were painted, inspired by people she had met during her childhood.

She also produced automatic drawings in black felt-tip pen on Bristol paper, especially towards the end of her life. The collection we are presenting here is an invented alphabet whose style is reminiscent of certain works by her compatriot Henri Michaux.