Artist Julian Semiao in front of his paintings

Julian Semiao is one of our favorite young talents. He is currently working and exhibiting in Paris. He draws his inspiration from Art Brut, Neo-Expressionism and specifically admires the color work and visual dynamism of artists such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, Robert Combas, Keith Haring and Jean Dubuffet. His own compostions have a particular aura to them which makes them irresistible to many- so it comes as no surprise that his work is already in a number of private collections therefore it was quite natural that we have chosen him to create an exclusive edition, only available on Artsper. We spoke to the artist to find out more about him, his art and his inspirations.

1. Your passion for art started at a very young age. How did you find your love of painting? 

I have always loved art, I have been drawing, painting and creating since I was a child. When other kids were playing soccer I preferred pencils, paint and markers. This passion was maintained by my mother's love for art and museums. So I naturally turned to art studies where I could begin to really get into the experience of painting. 

2. Your preference lies with acrylics. Have you experimented with other mediums or materials? 

I have experimented with many mediums, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, installation and even performance art, but I always find myself in painting, which is what characterizes me the most. I don't paint with oil because it has a very long drying time and is less adapted to my style. I paint large flat areas and then I contour them and acrylic is the perfect medium for that purpose. As far as materials are concerned, I have experimented with wood and wall paint but the canvas remains the most adapted and the most pleasant medium for me to work with.

Foyer (2021) and Dissonance (2021) by Semiao

3. Your compositions are sometimes mysterious with the juxtapositions that make you. What are your inspirations, how do you build this creative universe ? 

My inspirations are diverse and varied. I am fed by the world around me, by society and by my life as a young city dweller. I let myself be lulled by the exhibitions I see, the images I am confronted with and the vagaries of the city that exhilarates me, to bring out my ideas. The idea of juxtaposition is not immediately clear and limpid, a composition first comes to mind, rather vague and not completely defined. I then scan for hours the image banks, archival images, or hundreds of photographs of photographer friends' parties to create a precise composition and to release little by little a meaning, which surely speaks only to me at first, but which the spectator will then try to identify and develop. 

4. If you could spend a day with an artist, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

I would love to spend a day with the English artist Grayson Perry, his eccentric, graphic and multi-disciplinary universe fascinates me completely. 

Le Gisant (2021) and Genèse (2021) by Semiao

5. Your work is attracting a lot of interest and finding its way into more and more collections. Do you also collect? If so, which artists can be found on your walls? 

I have been collecting art for a few months now, in my humble capacity. Most of the works come from emerging artists from my circle or that I discovered in exhibitions. On my walls, you can find paintings by the Strasbourg artist Marius Pons de Vincent, or the incredible Parisian artist Alex Huthwohl. I also have a street art piece by ceramist Pablo Savon, and an installation by artist Sarah Krespin. 

6. We love to see young artists like you making a name for themselves in the digital market, whether it's on Artsper or on the networks. What advice would you give to a young artist who wants to make a name for themselves online? 

I would advise them, as for any communication on social networks or digital platforms, to take care of their content and to work hard to post regular and polished visuals. The digital market is defined by a wise sense of communication and staging of its works, it must help the viewer to project themselves.