Downtime Interview w/ Armand Brac
Artist workspace
1) Location?
Paris, France 🇫🇷
2) Years collaging?
13 years
3) What do you love and hate about collage?
I love the seductive immediacy of collage art. In a short time you come through a large panel of emotions. Take a color sheet, tear into pieces and there you are already. Something I hate and love at the same time is how overwhelming it is to collect materials, books and papers.
4) Biggest influences?
Picasso, Miro, Twombly, De Kooning, Pollock, Diebenkorn, Jorn, Appel among thousands others. Punk and hardcore music also had a big influence on my art. Graphic pioneers like Rodtchenko and Lissitzky brought me to collage in the first place, back when I studied graphic design.
5) Analog Vs Digital?
Analog. I started working digital during the first years of my practice though. When I discovered paper it was a revelation and I got hooked immediately. Paper is in the real world and it makes a major difference to me, because in my opinion art has to deal with real issues.
6) How do you spend your downtime?
When I do not practice my art, I spend most of my time with my family. I also read comic books in the evening. Two favorites : Lone Wolf and Cub, Akira.
7) Three tips for someone starting out in collage?
Feel free. Do your thing. Try to feel instead of thinking.
8) Up and coming shows or projects we should know about?
I am currently getting a new studio ready for work. So in a few weeks or months, I should get back to work hard!
Links:
Instagram: @armand_brac
Web: saatchiart.com/armandbrac
Artwork Credits:
À la fenêtre
paper on plywood board
14,7 x 20,4cm
2014
Carnival remnants
gouache & paper on plywood
19 x 25,4 cm
2017
Flooded view
gouache & paper on plywood
18,6 x 25cm
2017
Grosse murge en blouson noir
paper on cardboard
15,5 x 24,6cm
2015
My eye
paper on cardboard
16,1 x 20,8cm
2017
Stain Horse
paper on book cover
13,6 x 21,7cm
2016
There is the cat
gouache & paper on plywood
20,7 x 27,6cm
2017
Totem for my son
gouache & paper on plywood
19,3 x 26,6cm
2016