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Standing in entrance of Nicolas Lefeuvre’s art work, one can’t assist however be enthralled by the mixture of blue and black strokes—it’s paying homage to a second when the tv is unable to obtain a sign. At different instances, the work additionally exude a way of calmness, it’s like one is overlooking the huge ocean throughout nighttime. That’s maybe the facility of artwork, to move you to a different dimension the place you develop into introspective, aware and inquisitive.
Forward is an interview with Nicolas Lefeuvre, one among 11 artists that’s a part of the INFLUENCERS exhibition, the place he sheds mild on his inventive course of and his fascination with… mild.
You had been born in France (1975) the place you studied (Rennes first, then Paris). Very shortly after graduating, you determined to go for a protracted journey to the Far East. Inform us about this ardour of yours for Asia and the way it has influenced your artwork?
Opening the door of Asia 21 years in the past was like opening a door of fairy tales and magical tales… identical to dwelling a daydream. All of your senses are amplified, stimulated, and I had a sense that my thoughts was additionally getting youthful. As a dreamer, Asia grew to become immediately an awesome playground. Simply have a look at the daybreak mild, it’s unbelievable what you’ll be able to think about and create out of it. Asia represents the current second, it’s suspended in time; when the world offers delivery to mild, it disappears. Then you definately simply want to shut your eyes, breathe in, and pictures will floor, permitting this second to develop into everlasting. So Asia, for me, is usually a sense, and that’s the way it has influenced my artwork.
What did the various years you spent at Chanel as Artistic Director introduced you as an artist?
These 15 years with the attractive home taught me self-discipline, simplicity and sobriety. Gabrielle Chanel used to say “Earlier than you allow the home, look within the mirror and take away one piece”. Take away moderately than add. Working at Chanel additionally introduced part of femininity to my work and could be seen within the strains and delicateness that I’m attempting to inject in it. Additionally, it gave me a ardour to worth the time utilized in craftsmanship: I at all times take time to organize, I do know precisely the place I’m going after I paint, making my very own ink (not ready-made) so I can management my elements.
What has been your newest challenge? And what’s deliberate for you in 2021?
I’ve been working for some time on the event of a brand new collection known as “Self Archaeology” by which I’m hiding messages in linen envelopes sealed by embroideries. I’m inking the hidden messages on paper with nice conscientiousness. It is sort of a form of artwork remedy… Other than my upcoming collection, I’ve just a few exhibitions coming alongside in Paris, Amsterdam and Hong Kong. I’d additionally like to understand a challenge that I’ve began earlier than COVID-19; I’m organising a workforce to go and provides artwork courses to youngsters within the Zaatari refugee camp positioned in Jordan, which is the biggest Syrian refugee camp on this planet.
Your color palette is principally composed of deep blue and placing black. What position does color play in your work?
I’d reverse the query right here and as a substitute ask what position does my work play on color? As I’m at all times trying to find distinction, mild, depth, the colors blue and black (and gray generally) are those which can be essentially the most tailored at translating my emotion. It doesn’t imply I’ll by no means use purple or one other color however as we speak, I really feel extra snug exploring these two. And they’re additionally the closest to one among my most favorite parts: water.
What sort of artwork supplies do you often work with?
Indigo pigments, metallic gold powder and black ink are the primary elements I work with. These colored elements might be utilized to high-quality cotton fibre paper. Linens and embroideries are additionally what I like to work with. However, my instruments aren’t quotidian artwork instruments. I “cook dinner” with objects I discovered in all of the international locations I used to stay in. Japanese wood footwear, kimonos, items from a loom, from printing machine, spoon, chopsticks, piano keys, tablecloths….
The place do you discover inspiration on your work?
Largely in travelling and in contemplation. The sensation I’ve throughout every of my journeys conjures a succession of animated photos that compiles collectively to create my very own street film. Skies, clouds, mist, lights, buildings, trains, electrical strains, folks, lettering, numbers, sounds… I mentally file all the things and have this obsession with going ahead.
The fixed movement within the air, the bottom, seas, plans and depths, all have a hypnotic impact on me, giving me visions and sensations like weightlessness—floating physique and thoughts—with an eagerness for a “nice escape”. Childhood can be an awesome supply of inspiration and an awesome type of artwork remedy. That is how the upcoming collection “Self Archeology” was born.
What feelings do you hope the viewers expertise when your artwork?
I hope they are often moved and be transported to a distinct world. A type of escapism, from over connecting. The Land(e)scapes collection is for many who daydream: an invite to find new territories which could be yours.
What’s the position the artist performs within the society?
It is a troublesome query. However first, who’s to outline if he has one or not? Himself? The viewers? Does he need to possess a mission or a job? An artist could be susceptible; an artist could be engaged. And I feel an artist affords prospects, angles, visions, to be able to problem the established order. I additionally like the truth that an artist gathers folks, and captivate them.
The 5 phrases that describe finest your artwork ?
Mild, Depth, Mindfulness, Second and Silence
What can guests count on to see from you at INFLUENCERS 2021?
I count on them to “really feel” greater than “see”. I hope they may really feel range in artwork, and discover hyperlinks between totally different intervals and actions.
What’s your favorite museum in Paris ?
The Antoine Bourdelle Museum, merely since you really feel as if you’re in his studio. As if Antoine Bourdelle was nonetheless working a couple of minutes in the past.
To date what’s your most vivid reminiscence of life in Asia (Japan, Hong Kong)?
I don’t wish to be repetitive, however I feel the sunshine can be my most vivid reminiscence of those 20 years spent in Asia. Mild is life, mild is vitality, mild is optimistic. It exhibits the way in which. Asia has proven me a strategy to know myself higher.
What’s your favorite mantra that you simply stay by?
My father as soon as informed me, “Happiness is straightforward”. I’m attempting to stay following this recommendation.
Should you had been to call one mentor who has impressed you in your life and path as an artist, who would that be?
Pierre Soulages is one among them. He stated as soon as, “For me, it’s necessary to expertise aesthetic shock, which units in movement our creativeness, our feelings, our emotions, and our ideas. That’s the aim of a portray and of artwork on the whole”. He managed to sum up the rationale why I’m dedicating my life to artwork now, and the significance of opening your coronary heart in all the things you do.
Nicolas Lefeuvre’s work are presently on show on the Alliance Française (Singapore)
Date: 8 Might to 19 June 2021
Time: Monday: closed
Tuesday to Friday: 1:00pm-7:30pm
Saturday: 9am-5.30pm
From 18 to 25 Might, please be aware the next time adjustments:
– Tuesday 18 – Wednesday 19: 2.45pm-7.30pm
– Thursday 20: 3.15pm-7.30pm
– Friday 21: 1.45pm-7.30pm
– Tuesday 25: 4.45pm-7.30pm
Location: La galerie, Alliance Française de Singapour, 2nd Stage
1 Sarkies Street Singapore 258130
For extra data concerning this exhibition, you’ll be able to go to the Alliance Française de Singapour web site.
About Nicolas Lefeuvre, @nicolas_lefeuvre
Lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal.
Nicolas Lefeuvre was born in France in 1975. After finding out at Beaux-Arts in Rennes (France) and structure/product design at Camondo in Paris, Lefeuvre left to journey for nearly a yr throughout Asia.
In 2001, he opened a inventive studio/gallery in Singapore, doing design, artwork route for manufacturers and internet hosting artwork exhibitions. In 2008, he grew to become the Artistic Director for Chanel which despatched him to Tokyo, Japan. After 5 years in Japan, he moved to Hong Kong along with his job, on the similar time he began an impartial music label in China.
He’s now totally devoted to artwork, and has exhibited his work from Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Paris. Lefeuvre works principally with ink, on paper, utilizing objects, and his work is an invite by ink sceneries of psychological travels.