Page 55 - Manila Up Vol3#7

home-base in London, and internationally including
France, Switzerland, the United States, Morocco,
Japan, Singapore, and at the Art Basel Hong Kong. All
of the pieces are described as colourful and fun, from
iconic portraits with a twist to famous pop culture
characters and playful fashion house logos with a
street art influence.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
At an early age of three, Darbon started painting
and was enrolled in adult painting classes by the age
of five before his parents built him a small studio
(which they still keep until today). Only a year
after, he excelled beyond his adult peers in not only
techniques but also in his artistic expressions. He said
some of his earliest influencers and remain hugely
inspiring him until today are Jean-Michel Basquiat,
Henri Matisse, Roy Lichtenstein and Salvador Dali.
Coming from a multicultural background with
extensive travels around the world, Darbon has always
had an open mindset and a drive to create art for people
from different cultures and walks of life. The inspiration
for each series varies depending on where in the world he
is travelling at the time and what he would like to show to
represent his vision and interpretation of that city itself.
“I find inspiration everywhere, from travels to
magazines I read, new up-and-coming street wear
and fashion brands and I get inspired from places
I’ve visited and travelled to. It really depends
what’s on my mind at that time. I get a lot of
inspiration from current pop culture and what’s
happening right now which reflects a lot of my
work. Simple things like walking around Shibuya
and being surrounded by neon lights or a stroll
in the Miami Art Deco district or billboards in
LA can bring inspiration to a piece and translate
how I see the current pop culture on canvas. My
art represents very much the time we live in.” says
Darbon.
“Beyond Bangkok” came as an inspiration to pay
homage to Bangkok as a city and to remind all of us that
art is and can be understood by all regardless of our age,
race, sexuality, upbringing, and that the essence of it
transcends beyond the borders of cities and nations. n

If you’re in town by 10 November 2018, come visit the Park Lobby of
SO Sofitel Bangkok on the 9th floor to see Darbon’s colorful work. To
know more about him and his works, you can also visit his official
page www.louisnicolasdarbon.com.

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