Interview with Graphic Artist Aurélia Durand

Aurélia Durand, a French graphic artist, illustrator, and product designer based in Copenhagen, is renowned for her vibrant and impactful work that celebrates diversity and representation. Her art stands as a powerful testament to the richness of Afro-descendant cultures, portraying them with a sense of joy, pride, and empowerment. Through her creative endeavors, Durand crafts a visual narrative that champions the interconnectedness and collective aspirations of a global community.

Durand’s work is distinguished by its vivid color palette and dynamic compositions. She uses these elements not merely for aesthetic appeal but as a means to convey deep, meaningful messages about identity and representation. Her illustrations often depict Afro-descendants with exuberance and confidence, challenging stereotypes and offering a fresh, empowering perspective on their experiences and contributions.

The vibrancy in Durand’s work is not just a visual choice but a reflection of her commitment to celebrating cultural diversity. By focusing on joyful and proud representations, she counters the often narrow and negative portrayals of Afro-descendants in mainstream media. Her art serves as a powerful counter-narrative, emphasizing the strength, beauty, and unity within this community.

Aurelia, please tell us about how you became an illustrator, a graphic artist?

It started when I entered a pre-art school just after high school; it was a revelation for me. In this place, I experimented all kind of art drawings, paintings, sculpture and product design. I was studying in Paris which is the best place to study art; there are many museums, galleries, and events. In the school I studied the history of art, I was fascinated by the contemporary art, I like a lot Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Cindy Scherman, Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Murakami, Olafur Eliasson, Anish Kapoor, A Wei Wei and many more. They are working on different topics, but I am inspired by their methodology and way of thinking art or design.
It was an exciting experience; I got the chance to do something I liked. I knew I wanted to enter an art school, so I passed some competitions and went to an Academy of art and design. I met incredible people, and I heard new stories. I was developing my creativity; I was trying to understand who I was as a creative and what I wanted to focus on.

Where do you mainly draw your inspiration from?

My inspiration is from films, music video, photography, and others kind of art and design forms. Life is also an inspiration, people I meet, conversations I have with them.

Are there any graphic artists that you follow that we should know about?

I follow all kind of artists, products designers, architects, illustrators, and painters. But right now I like Doshi Levein,Olimpia Zagnoli, Sara Andreasson and Manjit Thapp.

What is your favorite tool for your work?

I like to have a pen and a blank paper. It’s all everything starts. But I also love to work a lot with my computer.

Something you could not live without?

Nothing special, if I don’t have anything I will still be able to use my hands and create stuff anyway.

You are an illustrator, graphic artist and product designer would you say that you are in a male-dominated field or is that not the case for you?

It’s difficult to say, I work on my own, so I don’t feel confronted with inequality gender.

Can you describe one of the most difficult creative challenges you faced?

Even if I have, It’s difficult to know what to draw to reach people, find a topic that can touch people, so they feel related to what I draw.

How did you overcome it?

I had to search something that matters to me which is my roots; I am an afro-descendants. I find a topic to share so I can create visuals to share and develop connections with it.

What advice would you give to someone who would like to be an illustrator like you?

Be brave, be personal and listen to what is deep inside you to get the best of it.