Céline’s practice is rooted in expressing and promoting the four main emotions--Happiness, Sadness, Anger, and Fear. Her process is driven by experimentation, transmuting her two-dimensional style of blind line contour into a three-dimensional space through sculpture and life-casting. Through these installations, she projects her own vulnerability; abstractly representations of the deeply personal allows for connection with her viewers and creates a safe space for them to process their own emotions alongside her.
She has participated in multiple international residencies, worked with designers for Art Basel, and has been featured in multiple magazines and blogs. Her most recent exhibitions include two installations in Germany, a solo exhibition in Budapest, and many group exhibitions in both New York and Los Angeles.
Céline will be joining us at our second Salon night. Today, we ask her about her work, her biggest influences, and what has been a seminal experience.
1. Why do you make this type of art?
Forming connections and relationships is very important to me as an artist, and I meet so many people drawing portraits and when I am looking for models to mold. It’s sitting with others and getting to know them that inspires my work. It’s amazing how quickly and deeply you can know someone just by talking to and drawing a 60 second portrait of them.
2. Did you always want to be an artist?
I have wanted to be an artist my entire life. No doubts about it.
3. Do you listen to music while you create? If so, what is on your playlist?
I listen to music all the time when I work,especially when I create DJ sets to perform at parties: Mostly house music, and the occasional Psych Rock. Current labels on my playlist are Data Transmission and House Salad. The artists I’m obsessing over are Sofi Tukker, Bonobo, and COBRAH.
4. Who are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences are Bruce Nauman, Keith Haring, David Shrigley and Egon Schiele. All of them deal with experimentation, expressionism, and connecting with themselves and the human experience.
5. What has been a seminal experience?
In March, I had a very close friend pass away, and so during my residency in Germany I created a space designed to deal with my own grieving process. In large part I was figuring out a way to release the attachment with their physical being and absolving myself of the guilt that comes with the hope of moving on. The physicial pain and sadness that his passing brought up was translated into the installation and through that, I was able to successfully create a space for others to come to terms with their own personal losses. It felt really good to feel understood and know I wasn’t alone in experiencing the pain of losing someone important.
6. Name something you love (anything) and why.
I absolutely LOVE croissants. As a french person croissants (and baguettes and cheese) are a staple to my diet and always start my day off right. I have been to a million places in Los Angeles searching for the best croissant in LA and post my reviews on my instagram. If you’re lucky I’ll share my list with you :p
