We speak to artist Romain Froquet ahead of the “Empreinte”
exhibition, a series of drawings recently realised by Froquet.
After generating prints of his drawings in various formats he has
re-edited his work to offer a different interpretation, bringing a
certain uniqueness to the form and evolution from past to present,
from childhood to adulthood, but keeping elements of both.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and
background?
I was born in 1982 in Villeurbanne, France. My life changed when I
joined the 9th Concept, as it gave me the perspective of artistic
destiny. 9th Concept’s main activity, over the last twenty years,
is collective creation which is exhibited in galleries, museums or
on the street, through multi-disciplinary and interactive
exhibitions.
Where do you work and call home?
I create in a collective studio in Montreuil, close to Paris. This
is the 9th Concept studio. I live in Paris.
How important is colour and the use of structured space in
your work?
The colour is the most important thing for me - I don't think about
it, I feel it. It's a natural for me to find the right colour... It
helps me to speak, to convey emotion. When I look at a picture, a
painting, a drawing... the first thing I see is the colour. The
colour is the life, the power, the feeling, the soul.
My work is based on the research on the balance. Balance between
being spontaneous and structure. I think that in life and on Earth,
everything is movement - Everything is moving, in flux. I try to
transcribe this process in my work, my lines reflect this movement.
My lines reflect life. They never stop.
Someone wrote something about me, which would sum up my use of
space, Romain's "style expressed appearances through faces" which
"look at the scars that have influenced him in exploring a more
instinctive and singular unconscious. His style has now evolved
toward more complex asymmetrical forms, mastering the use of
colours and illustrating space, toward a coherent and structured
abstraction. A spontaneous drawing, free from judgements".
What do you think about when creating your work, do you
visualise the work beforehand in your mind?
I don't think very long before I create. I like to improvise and
feel things. This is only improvisation. When I create, this is not
with my brain but with my mind and body.
I don't visualise my creation before - never. I Like to put the
pencil on a paper and view what happens. A creation is like a
discussion between me and the support. When I paint I like
listening to music, to think of moments of my life, of my
childhood, my brothers and to everything else, be it sad or
beautiful.
There are several elements and shapes present in your
complex, abstract pieces, where do you find your inspiration
from?
Music - Symbolic - colour - Life - Nature - Love - Humanity. At the
beginning I was very influenced by tribal art from Africa, and
South America - All the masks. You can find in my work all the
masks which influenced me - but in an abstract way. I always paint
and draw eyes. This is a representation of my vision and the vision
of others - If you really intensely observe my work you will find
eyes hide between the lines.
I work with some symbolism - the tree for example, the door, the
hand. The tree that represents life, the roots, membership and so
on. I mix all these symbols that I create with painting
projections, impressions of hands, spontaneous forms. At last, I
find a new inspiration - the travel.
My last travel in India and USA were two incredible experiences - I
met new people, new civilisations and other artists.
What would you ultimately describe art
as?
Art is everywhere. In my vision, art is simply the fact to be free
to express yourself with your own language.
The exhibition Empreinte is about evolution, how important
has it been to incorporate the past with the
present?
Through my painting I try just to find my soul of the child. I'm
looking for innocence, spontaneity. When I mix the past and the
present - I mix my child self with my adult self. My adult "side"
gives me the technique, control, the intellectual side, reflections
on life and the human being... It is a confrontation. Today we
could talk about an evolution, because it's new for me - my artwork
has a new direction.
Are you excited about the XOYO exhibition in the
UK?
Really - it's a new experience, a new travel, lots of new persons.
I like doing my "job" because I can always meet new people,
everywhere. This is why I have the opportunity today to exhibit at
Xoyo, because a few months ago I met Alisa Phommahaxay, the curator
of Xoyo, who was a very good friend of Estelle Domergue, the
co-organizer of the exhibition Go West I where my canvas was shown
in Paris.
Today this is XOYO, and I am really excited to do something in this
Gallery, in London! For a (French) artist - doing something in
London is very important. I think London is one of the most
important art-places in the world. I talk about painting but also
music! Doing exhibition at a place like XOYO is perfect for me. I
am very excited to show my "Empreinte" exhibition to English
people.
Have you explored London much?
This is the second time I have come to England... The first time, I
visited seven years ago with my brother was really nice.
I have fallen in love with this city. It is a very large city with
many neighbourhoods. It's like in a giant village. Music
everywhere, different cultures everywhere, I had a really good
feeling of this place, especially within the heartbeat and
environment of Camden.
What plans do you have for the remainder of 2012 and
beyond?
A beautiful Co Branding with Haviland (French porcelain) - you will
see this collection in Harrods; a solo Show in France (Dijon)
L'Espace Gallery. 14th April - 5th May; a group show at the
Yvonamor Palix Gallery in July in Houston, Texas; a group show and
performance in the "black and Basque" festival - France (Bayonne) -
September and a performance in the "noo" festival - France - Paris
- in June
Romain Froquet - The “Empreinte” at XOYO GALLERY from 5th April
2012 - 30th April 2012
As featured in Unfolded Magazine Issue 07