Aurélia Bizouard - The Uncomplicated Beauty of the Everyday
Story: Sam Wink
Photography: Jennilee Marigomen
AurĂ©lia Bizouard relishes life's little accidents. Jetting between Paris and Vancouver, and dissatisfied with painting on traditional canvas, AurĂ©lia began painting on glass after dropping a different piece of art. Her abstract works in acrylic require painting backwards: whatever is to appear in the foreground must be painted onto the glass first, before layering up the background. With this technique the medium of glass â something we look through so often we rarely see itâ is elevated from the everyday. By shattering and rebuilding her glass pieces, AurĂ©lia achieves a very visceral visual representation of the regeneration that life requires of us.
You commute to Paris fairly frequently, what are some of the biggest differences you see between Paris and Vancouver? How do these two cities influence your work?
Paris is an old iron lady.
Vancouver is a green lady.
Paris is full of artsy, cultural and historical places such as the Bateau Lavoir where some great artist started painting in Montmartre. You can visit any kind of art you want or just wander around the city. I go back to France quite often as I really need to be connected with my roots. I also do my art overthere. Paris is always a great source of inspiration, especially with the great collection of artwork â my favourite is the Centre Pompidou, I find a lot of inspiration being surrounded by art and seeing other artists work. It is endless. The city reveals also great temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists and it is a great place to buy art. They say: âLife is too short, buy the artwork, drink the wine, order the dessert.â This is what happens in Paris!
Vancouver is a very pretty city too, very connected to nature. And lots of well-knows artists found their inspiration from nature: Emily Carr, the Group of Seven, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, etc.
My work here is more connected with nature, as I can see the water, the mountains and hear the birds from where I live. It allows me to slow down. My art studio is in Vancouver. Living in a new country and coming from the old world is a great balance and a great influence for my work.
You started in business and travel before you began pursuing art as a career.
Art has always been part of my life since I was a kid: I always draw and paint, I went to art museums or art galleries - the place where I lived in France is by the Seine river where Renoir, Monet, Morisot painted. We should all strive to get the opportunity to chase our childhood dreams. Because the schema is simple: following your passions is what makes you who you are and one of the purposes of your life. As Socrates said: âKnow thyselfâ , then you will discover what are your passions and what you can share to the world.
Travel is another passion I like, I did not find the medium I wanted to work with (i.e. glass and acrylic), it took me many years to find out, as it takes many years to really know who you are. So I decided to work with my other passion â travel- and still do art on the side. But I always travelled with paint and brushes with me, wherever I went. Creativity is as important as water for me. I would not survive without it.
Do you think that 2016 is a better time for artists than it was 10 years ago? Do you see the industry improving?
I think that there is always a place for art. âArt is much less important than life but what a poor life without itâ Robert Motherwell. Today, I just wish that people will buy more art than real estate or cars...
When we spoke, you talked a lot about how your style started with dropping and breaking a piece of art, do you often take inspiration from imperfection?
Imperfection is beautiful because perfection does not exist. Everything is a piece of art, depending on how you look at it. What makes art âArtâ is the observer, the way You see things. Breaking the glass is a process that was at first a mistake while dropping a painting made of glass. I was then able to start working with shattered glass. From mistakes come great ideas and everything happens for a reason. My art always evolves in a different way, but it has to always come from the heart.
Collaboration is a hot topic in Vancouver, with our tech industry starting to influence, how do technology and new materials feature in your art? Is there a medium that you excited to try out?
We have no choice than adapting to the tech industry and the world is changing so fast! This is wonderful what we can do today, we connect with everything, at anytime, everywhere in the world! I am not working with technology to create my art but I work with new materials such as fluorescent paint and a blacklight on a glass panel. It would be another type of art to reveal to the eye and another way to look at art. Very exciting!
To date, which project are you most proud of, and why?
I would say that the best project ever is to work with other artists and with people when we create art all together, as I like to connect people with art. I usually find some stimulation. So the greatest projects and experience for me happened at the Banff Centre in August 2015.
What would be your dream project?
The dream project would be spreading colours and light everywhere: share my work in public places where people can access art freely and easily see it. They will stop from rushing and will be able to focus on the beauty of ordinary things. It could be done on a subway platform, on a ceiling of a restaurant, at a hotel front desk, in a shop window, etc. Everywhere people are travelling to or commuting to.
What are the first things you look to for inspiration when starting a painting?
Inspiration comes from things I see or things I hear. It could be from everywhere: travelling, observing, reading, speaking with people, after watching a documentary, after going to an exhibition, etc. then, when I find my idea, I start with a main concept in mind and I create an intuitive painting. I let my mind and creativity go where it is supposed to go, as freely as possible and always following the heart.
What is one thing in the home that makes you the happiest?
Light and colours.
What is one thing you are excited about in the Kabuni App?
To connect with all kind of people: creators, artists, designers and architects!
How are you trying to make better homes for everyone?
Trying to help people having their place with more art! Bring creativity to people! Also, I Iike that Kabuni is helping the homelessness by donating to charities. I see a lot of homeless people in Vancouver or Paris and everybody is able to do a little in order to help others. By donating, it is a good way to improve the society we are living in.
See more of AurĂ©liaâs work on her website. Love design? Kabuni is the platform of choice for interior designers, artists and artisans. We empower artists like AurĂ©lia in cities around the world. Access thousands of home dĂ©cor products from local artists as well as leading brands that clients will love. Connect, collaborate and profit share with us. With every purchase we support charities helping people who are homeless in our communities. Check us out on kabuni.com
