Vienna Kim in Conversation with Laurence de Valmy

It was Marion Sailhen of the online art gallery Singulart who initially introduced me to artist Laurence de Valmy. This incredible artist, who has been interviewed by the likes of Forbes magazine amongst others, merges art history and popular culture to create a fictional world in which the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Matisse and Joan Mitchell interact with one another and their audience via Instagram posts. In this interview, Laurence and I speak about the importance of technology for artists, the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on her work, and her future projects.

VK: Let’s start at the beginning: how did you come to the idea to create artworks in the style of an Instagram post? It’s such a fun, humorous concept, with an obvious critical observation of our current society, which is so absorbed with social media. Why did you decide to pursue this aesthetic?

LdV: Well it’s been a long process and the merging of a few thoughts. In my previous works I was painting in the style of photorealism and often had the comment that my paintings “looked like photos”. I was also fascinated by the place of Instagram and how art was more often seen through a screen than in person. I thought well I should play the game and create paintings that looks like Instagram posts!

The second thought was that artists do what they do, because of who they are of course, but also thanks to their connections. I love to read about art history, but mostly I love to learn about the personal stories of artists, how they were connected with other artists, art dealers, writers, their lovers etc. Warhol painted a can of soup because Lichtenstein “stole” the subject of comics, because Muriel Latow suggested he do so and because Duchamp created his Fountain in 1917. Velasquez, Braque, Matisse and African sculptors influenced Picasso and participated in making him who he was. In a nutshell, art history is a continuum.

I started the series and was awarded a residency fellowship at the ESKFF to pursue the project. From then I got gallery representation and continued expanding the series.

VK: A few of the galleries you work with found you on Instagram. How did you use Instagram as a tool to reach the inner circles of the art world? Do you think all artists should be using Instagram in some way?

LdV: I started to use Instagram but also Facebook or linkedin to connect with artists and follow galleries I liked. As in any industry, and as an independent artist, it is precious to have a community.

Being an artist can be an isolating activity and I’m a social person so I value a lot the interaction with people who share common interests.

I believe Instagram and social media in general play an important role in our way of connecting and even more in this period of social distancing. It becomes part of the portfolio of an artist. I know of some artists who are not at all on social media but it’s really a minority now.

That being said, it is a tool and it is important to keep an eye on the fact that the “numbers” (followers/ likes etc) are not a goal.

VK: You are obviously very involved with the technological aspect of the art world, including working with Paris-based online art gallery Singulart. How has your experience been working with an online art gallery?

LdV: I work with some galleries who have a physical space and some who don’t and who mostly participate to art fairs or pop up shows. Their common point is that they all have an online presence through their websites and platforms such Artsy and mix it with physical exhibitions. A mix between both ways to show art seems ideal.

Beyond the platforms they use, I believe the quality of the relationship is very important. I am lucky to work with art dealers who are truly passionate about what they do and I am very grateful for their support.

VK: Do you feel like online art platforms are becoming more accepted?

LdV: I think it is a global trend of our society and every industry get there sooner or later. The current events are accelerating the change. I like the idea that art can be more accessible. Of course, seeing art in person in a nice space is the best. But not everybody has the chance to travel the world to visit galleries, museums and art fairs and we don’t know when that will happen again.

I like to observe how 3D viewing rooms can enhance the experience and give a feeling of visiting an exhibition. I’m sure a lot can and will be done in virtual reality.

Online platforms participate to the democratisation of the arts and give more transparency to the market which I believe is positive to attract more collectors.

VK: Obviously with the current COVID-19 pandemic, everything is going digital. Do you feel like you were prepared for this, since you were already well-grounded in the digital world? How are you finding this time working in confinement?

LdV: I’m not sure anyone was really prepared for this… it’s quite unprecedented. The galleries I work with were all already using online platforms so in that sense, we had the tools to react to the situation. The question is how the pandemic will impact the economy in the long term since we health of the art market is linked to it. Time will tell.

As for the personal impact, I’m lucky to have a studio in my home so that didn’t change my routine. The first weeks were tough because my family and many friends have been sick and it is harder to focus and work under this stress. Things are better now and I hope it will only get better. It has inspired me to create some new works on a new theme, I will see how this evolve and if I develop it further.

VK: Do you have any future, unrealised projects you would like to pursue? What’s the big artistic dream?

LdV: To begin with, I’d love to be able to show the works of my series Art Girl Rising as it was planned in March in New York with Kahn Gallery. I had also a project of a collaboration with a non profit foundation that we had to postpone and many other projects to develop. I am grateful that some exhibitions are opening again: Couleurs Intemporelles on view in Honfleur, France with Range of Arts Gallery and my work has been selected to participate to the 6th International Exhibition on Conceptual Art, in Korea at the CICA Museum (June/July).

My big artistic dream would be a collaborative artwork to create a time capsule of our times and illustrate the connections between artists.

VK: What would you say to young, emerging artists who are trying to be discovered by the art world, or are seeking representation?

LdV: I will give the same advice that I was given, build your community! I would also recommend to be curious, listen, reach out to people and define or refine what is your goal. There are many ways to be an artist.

Thank you Laurence de Valmy.

Imagery courtesy of the artist.

Vienna Kim,

Head of Interviews, MADE IN BED