Christophe Stephan Durand: At 9 years old I started drawing seriously

What inspired you to create artwork and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)

My artistic experience began at a very young age. My father painted master forgeries. I remained in awe of his copies for a long time. At 9 years old I started drawing seriously. My subjects were related to my imagination, castles, medieval streets. These decorations drawn in pen and ink were my first works. At fifteen I studied drawing and painting in the excellent workshop of Marie Helene ASTRUC, former teacher at the Beaux Arts in Paris.

What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with to date?

Professionally I started by drawing storyboards for cinema. Then I worked on video and cinema images, while continuing to work on my paintings. I had the chance to live and work for a few years in London, Paris, New York and Montreal. I immersed myself in all these cultures and these encounters with multiple artists who enriched my classical European culture. I chose oil paint for its flexibility and its visual appearance. It allows hyper realism like the abstract.

What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?

I am self-taught. This is a first advantage. Furthermore, what characterizes me I think is my view on the chosen subjects, my very personal work with the light on my models as well as my technique. I am not inspired by any artist but I feel part of the surrealist movement with a touch of humor. This is why I joined the Society for Art of Imagination, which brings together American and certain European surrealist artists, the best known of whom was H.R. GIGER. We had a group exhibition in Seattle USA in 2021, then a virtual exhibition in 2022.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes when I observe something poetic or absurd. When an image tells me a whole film, then I want to paint it.

What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?

Until recently, I considered that political opinions and art did not go well together. But for several years, we have been confronted with a so-called “topical” vision of our near future: extinction of species, global warming, and consequently human tragedies which are only increasing. So I decided to talk about it with my new collection; with poetry, with humor or lightness, but I want to recall the link that connects us to our sacred and living environment.

What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technique, inspiration from art classics or other)?

I'm a bit like a gold prospector who digs through life to find an idea, then from one idea to another I follow the vein.

Do you use a particular working technique? if yes, can you explain it?

I work with the ALLA PRIMA technique, this Italian technique which consists of making a sketch with very diluted paint, then going over it with successive increasingly oily layers.

Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?

If there is an innovative aspect in my work, it is in the choice of my subjects. I take care to draw inspiration from what surrounds me, from the life I have lived. Which is undoubtedly unique to me.

Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?

My favorite supports are canvas and wood. My classic side I guess.

Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own workshop? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?

I have a workshop area in my home. I am often inspired in the evening, so I need to sleep in my studio

Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it mean to you?

I have traveled, and each trip is like a new life where everything changes, the opinions, the criteria of beauty, the landscapes... This enriches the soul and the heart and allows you to have things to tell through your work. Let's not forget that the goal of art is to take the soul on a journey.

How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?

I see it more militant, with a tender and fun ecological message. In fact, I don't believe in using punches to convince. Love is always more powerful.

What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?

The theme is ecological, it humorously reminds us that plants, animals and humans are interdependent and share the same world. We must love and protect them in order to love and protect ourselves.

Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?

My most important exhibition was in 2021 at the KIRKLAND ART CENTER in SEATTLE USA. This exhibition by THE SOCIETY FOR ART OF IMAGINATION brought together around a hundred works by American and European artists (including the late HR GIGER), all high-level figurative surrealists. It is a great pride to have humbly participated.

If you could create a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?

If I could have created a famous work in the history of art, I might have painted THE ORIGIN OF THE WORLD, just to laugh at the mess that it had created at the time.

If you could invite any famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?

I would invite Banksy to my favorite museum, the Metropolitan Museum in New York.