What do you see when you look at one of Jérôme Berthier’s abstract sequential art pieces? The French artist tells us it’s up to the viewer to decide. “[My art] gives form to something that’s formless, that’s buried; the part of ourselves we try to ignore or repress,” says Berthier.

So, perhaps the better question is, what do you see in yourself when you view Berthier’s art? Through exploring his shadow side in his work, he invites you into your own introspection. “When making art in a very intuitive way…I like the idea that I will have an interpretation of my art, but it’s not necessarily the definitive truth—any person’s interpretation of it is valid.”

Berthier describes his illustrations and paintings as toeing the line between fear and awe, nightmares and dreams, pulling from visceral memories and imagination. The juxtaposition Berthier evokes is simple yet complicated. He demonstrates this contrast by combining minimalist and maximalist styles, from the complexity of clean lines to intricate patterns and the balance of black and white to bold primary colours.

“I’d like my art to illuminate the universal truths of purpose, fear, and growth that we all have as human beings.” Berthier reflects.

When Berthier reignited his artistic passions, he was thirty years old. Although he knew he wanted to be an artist by the time he was six, after being enthralled by French and Belgian comics and cartoons like Tintin, life took him in a different direction towards the more practical side of life. He spent five years working in the film industry when he realized it was time to reclaim his inner child, the creative artist within—and he’s been making art ever since.

Within his creative journey, Berthier finds that he doesn’t always know what his pieces will represent. He’ll sit down and start drawing arbitrary lines and filling in shapes without controlling the outcome, venturing into the unknown with every piece he creates. “Whatever I’m exploring in the piece is also about the making of the piece itself—it all feeds on itself,” Berthier states.

The exploratory nature of Berthier’s work is an inspiration, especially in these darker months of the year, to explore within, self-reflect, and find what lights up your inner child.

This past summer, Berthier participated in the Vancouver Mural Festival. He also showcased his first book of art titled, Myth at the Slice of Life Art Gallery. You can still snag a copy at the Slice of Life gift shop.

Follow Berthier on Instagram and check out his website here.

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NOVEMBER ARTIST OF THE MONTH: JÉRÔME BERTHIER

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