SEBASTIEN NOTRE

French artist, Sebastien Notre on keeping creative during lockdown, and the museum he’ll be heading for when it’s all over.

Photos by Enza Procopio

Sebastien Notre has said ‘I’m not interested in creating something, I’m more interested in transforming reality.’ The young French artist has been gaining momentum over the last couple of years, bewitching the art world with his powerful, erotic and often unsettling work - in all the best ways. His pieces delve into sex, loneliness, animals and interiors, taking inspiration from 1970s media and vintage magazines. He moves between mediums, working in everything from painting and sculpture to collage. His pieces drag him from reality into another realm - and anyone standing in front of his work is dragged right along with him.

Sebastien studied womenswear at Central St Martins before realising that painting was his true calling. He now lives in Milan, where he has been living, painting and collaging over lockdown. Here, the artist tells us all about his love of Picasso, his plans to run straight to the Louvre and how his bedroom has always been his safe space. We couldn’t agree more.

Do you remember the first piece of art you ever created?

I don't remember exactly. I just remember I started painting on paper, and only started using a proper canvas months after that.

Who was the most inspiring person to growing up?

 I didn’t have one person in particular, I was always quite curious and observant of my surroundings - maybe of a good quality in one person or an interesting defect in another. There is nothing or no one who doesn’t have a fascinating part to study and observe.

Was your home a creative place growing up?

It was in a way. My bedroom was my favourite place - I’d spend hours in there drawing and inventing stories.

How have you kept yourself creatively challenged over lockdown?

It was very important for me to carry on working during the lockdown. It was definitely a challenge to keep producing things using only the things I had because the shops were closed and I couldn’t even buy paint. But I found solutions and came to understand that if you really want to create something, you will do it no matter what the conditions are.

Has being cut off from ‘normal life’ sparked any new ideas for you?

I didn’t get any new ideas actually, but I was finally able to concentrate and keep focused on developing the ideas I already had. I used the lockdown to make collages for various brands, and I was only able to do this because I finally had the chance to really think about this concept and find ways to make it interesting.

What artists from the past inspire you most?

I like Picasso a lot. I see him as a hard worker. He tried everything, and never stopped creating right until the end.

What’s the first museum you want to visit after lockdown (anywhere in the world!)?

I would like to go back to the Louvre in Paris. The place itself is as beautiful and impressive as the pieces inside.

What does Sunday mean to you?

I don’t see Sunday as a day of rest. I like to use all the available time to create new things, and get very frustrated if I just spend all day relaxing at home. But I try to bring some of the Sunday spirit to the other days of the week. I put on a nice pair of pajamas and just take time to pause a little - even if it’s 10 minutes.