The artist Anne Mandorla opens the doors of her studio in the Paris region, offering an immersion into her unique artistic universe.
Hello Anne, could you introduce yourself in a few words?
I am a painter and printmaker. I studied for twelve years while working, attending the Fine Arts School in Nancy, earning a degree in visual arts at the Sorbonne, and a master’s in art history in Nancy. Having lived in the Île-de-France region for 30 years, I continue to pursue my artistic work.
How did art come into your life?
Very early, from childhood. In my family, artisan craftsmen greatly inspired me. My parents encouraged observation, attention to detail, and visits to castles. My father awakened my interest in history, and my mother in observing nature, she taught me the names of flowers and plants. From a very young age, I loved to draw. We were a large family, and whenever I picked up a pencil, I was left in peace. At school, the teacher’s ink stamps became series of flowers and houses, my first steps toward printmaking. At sixteen, I joined an academy of visual arts, where I discovered museums. Then, at eighteen, I entered the Fine Arts School in Nancy, where I explored painting, printmaking, photography, and graphic design. I truly felt in my element. Color and painting captured my heart immediately.
What kind of artist are you, and what is your relationship with creativity?
I am an introspective and prolific artist. I create a lot, especially between February and October, following natural light. Without light, there is no color. Creativity is my vital driving force, tied to the cycle of light. Light is an essential element, a driving force. Above all, I see myself as a painter, though printmaking also nourishes my practice.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I am deeply inspired by the forest, plants, movement, and water.
Could you describe your creative process?
It is both a physical and mental process. It all begins with a walk in the forest, where I observe the colors and the shafts of light in the landscape. When I come across a place that captures my attention because of its light or an interesting composition, I imagine how to approach it in painting. I create mental paintings, not literal ones. I also take photographs, which I review in the evening, and then I move to the studio, where the creative process unfolds. I prepare my pigments and apply color to paper or canvas using various brushes, from standard bristles to Chinese brushes. A spontaneous gesture conveys my impressions of the landscape. The choice and juxtaposition of colors contribute to the composition and movement. Afterwards, I marouflage my works onto canvas and stretcher frames myself, a process that reminds me of my Lorraine family’s ancestral craftsmanship with textiles and embroidery.
Have there been artists who have particularly influenced you during your journey?
I was deeply influenced by the Impressionists, their use of color, movement, and off-center compositions, as well as traditional Chinese painters and Japanese printmakers.
How would you define your artistic universe?
I hope I have found a style that is truly my own. I studied Western art history extensively, then pared it down to maintain a certain simplicity. Tai Chi, my readings, and Asian art have taught me the importance of emptiness in relation to fullness.
Since joining the Durst Gallery, has your style evolved?
Yes, toward greater freedom and letting go.
Is there a message or emotion you hope to convey through your work?
Yes, freedom, joy, movement, a positive dynamic.
Could you share a memorable moment from your artistic journey?
Like Virginia Woolf with A Room of One’s Own, I gave myself the freedom to fully dedicate myself to my artistic practice when I found a studio and a lifestyle centered around it.
Do you have any future artistic projects?
I will continue to paint, create, and pursue my research, and I hope to exhibit more solo shows.
One piece of advice for a young artist?
Be yourself, know your artistic context, and work hard. Young female artists, assert yourselves!
Next exhibition at the Durst Gallery:
Caresser la couleur by Anne Mandorla
From March 20 to April 12, 2025
Opening reception on Saturday, March 22, from 3 PM to 7 PM