_{Image courtesy of Sandrine Langlade}

Interview: Sandrine Langlade

Luca Curci talks with Sandrine Langlade during THE BODY LANGUAGE 2019 at Misericordia Archives.

Sandrine Langlade is a French artist from Réunion Island living in the Netherlands. Her exhibitions are worldwide, mainly in Europe (Paris, Berlin, Roma, Barcelona…), the USA (New-York, Miami) and South-America (Bogota, Brazilia, Porto Alegre). Her “feel-good” pictorial style crosses lyrical abstract art and expressionism. The result is an explosion of bright colors, on a synesthesia. She gets her inspiration from current life, using her endless creativity to express her day-to-day emotions and sensations. The rest comes from studying, learning, and challenging her work with this core question: “How do I translate what I experiment into positive, dynamic and impactful art pieces?”. In 2018 she was awarded the Leonardo Da Vinci international art prize in Florence and the Tribute to Tiziano prize in Venezia, during the Biennial of Nations.

_{Image courtesy of Sandrine Langlade}

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Sandrine Langlade – I was 5 years old when I painted my first canvas. From that time on, I never stopped learning and practicing. While studying international affairs in France I always went on painting and exhibiting. My first personal exhibition took place in 2004 in Brazil. I was a student there for 1 year and painted many canvases that I couldn’t bring back to France. The director of the prestigious Museum of Modern Art of Rio Grande do Sul offered me to exhibit in the Museum’s cafeteria. All my works were sold on the first day. From that experience, I knew that one day I would make it as a professional artist.

LC – Which subject are you working on?
SL – I create colorful abstract paintings that trigger positive emotions and infuse energy. My “feel-good” pictorial style crosses lyrical abstract art and expressionism. The result is an explosion of bright colors, on a synesthesia.

_{Image courtesy of Sandrine Langlade}

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
SL – I always worked a lot on color. Over the years, my techniques have been improving and I have been able to create my own tools. As a result, the colors in my work are brighter and brighter. More recently, I integrated some -abstract and figurative- calligraphy expressions. My drive is to move the public deeper in powerful positive vibes.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
SL – In my roots. I am a tropical girl, born in Reunion Island, raised with the outstanding colors of Mother Nature all around. My homeland is a tiny paradise in the Indian Ocean, also named “the intense island”, hosting one of earth’s most active volcanos, thyphoons, an incredible cultural mix, hundreds of microclimates and thousands of endemic living species. A treasure. Crazily inspiring.

_{Image courtesy of Sandrine Langlade}

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
SL – I always loved movement. I currently work on dynamic constructions such as the current “Peace of Joy” (https://www.sandrinelanglade.com/en/gallery.php?id=38), a series of abstract calligraphic artworks with a 3D effect.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the festival’s theme?
SL – Practicing abstract calligraphy is like executing a choreography on a canvas. Body language in its purest form. Your hand drives the paintbrush but your whole body has to accompany the movement. I have been a ballet dancer for 15 years and I feel like merging my 2 passions when I create a “Peace of Joy”.

_{Image courtesy of Sandrine Langlade}

_{Image courtesy of Sandrine Langlade}