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Article: In the Studio | Fanny Allié

In the Studio | Fanny Allié
In the Studio

In the Studio | Fanny Allié

French artist Fanny Allié's work focuses around figures, often in pieces or partial state, which she places in minimal neutral structures and environments that are created from found fabric and discarded materials. Often commenting on modern culture and the way we relate to one another through her practice, Allie seeks to highlight the spaces we occupy, the objects we leave behind and senses of feeling included and excluded. Read on to learn more about her mixed media practice.

 

TAPPAN

Tell us about yourself and how you came to be an artist…

FANNY ALLIÉ

When I was 16, I started staging and photographing my two sisters who were 12 and 20 at the time. It was my first creative experience, very free and intuitive

TAPPAN

What draws you to mixed media work?

FANNY ALLIÉ

My mixed media work allows me to layer and connect various materials, fragments and objects in a very organic way. It basically means that I’m not closing any doors and (almost) every material has possibilities.

TAPPAN

What influence does living in New York have on your work?

FANNY ALLIÉ

I collect discarded materials and found objects that I find on the street or that have had a previous owner. It would be less inspiring if I were living in a very clean and orderly city where nothing can be found and collected.

TAPPAN

What questions or concepts are you most interested in?

FANNY ALLIÉ

The question of home, the sense of belonging and exclusion, passage, the ephemeral and the disappearance of the body.

TAPPAN

You’re currently a member artist at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. What influence has this opportunity had on you and your work?

FANNY ALLIÉ

It has been a great push in my art career and on a personal level as well, there is a great community of artists that I can connect with. As an artist working alone most of the time in my studio, I like having a professional structure that supports me, it makes me more confident.

Fanny Allié
Fanny Allié in studio

Fanny Allié says

“EACH ELEMENT EVENTUALLY FINDS ITS OWN PLACE WITHIN THE WORK. MIXED MEDIA BASICALLY MEANS THAT I’M NOT CLOSING ANY DOORS AND (ALMOST) EVERY MATERIAL HAS POSSIBILITIES.”

Fanny Allié
Fanny Allié
Fanny Allié

TAPPAN

What is your creative process?

FANNY ALLIÉ

My practice is heavily influenced by accidents and the materials I come across; the fragments that are left behind in the routine of each day. I don’t consciously think of the ideas or concepts before creating the work as it’s already in me. I just have to trust myself. I research and explore the questions I am interested in while creating the work. It’s an on-going reflection process.

TAPPAN

Where do you draw inspiration from?

FANNY ALLIÉ

From everything that’s around me: people, streets, daily situations, books I read, conversations...

TAPPAN

Describe your work in three words.

FANNY ALLIÉ

Textile. Sculpture. Structure.

TAPPAN

Who are some contemporaries or figures in art history who have influenced you?

FANNY ALLIÉ

I have been influenced by a lot of artists such as Belkis Ayon, Ghada Amer, Louise Bourgeois, Annette Messager, Carol Rama, Huma Bhabha, Simon Evans, Wangeshi Mutu, Nick Cave, Paul Klee's puppets, Judith Scott...

TAPPAN

When do you make your best work?

FANNY ALLIÉ

In the morning.

TAPPAN

What is your relationship with social media?

FANNY ALLIÉ

Addiction

Fanny Allié

TAPPAN

What messages or emotions do you hope to convey to your audience?

FANNY ALLIÉ

I hope the audience can actually feel something - any type of emotions or reactions - when looking at my work.

TAPPAN

Are there any quotes or mantras that you particularly connect with?

FANNY ALLIÉ

Yes I have my own personal mantras...

TAPPAN

What do you listen to when creating?

FANNY ALLIÉ

A French radio that I listen to on the internet (France Culture / France Inter)

TAPPAN

What makes you laugh?

FANNY ALLIÉ

I try to laugh at embarrassing situations

TAPPAN

What makes you nervous?

FANNY ALLIÉ

Everything.

TAPPAN

What makes you excited about the future?

FANNY ALLIÉ

My son, and my art.



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