Born in the late 70s in Île-de-France, Sylvain Bousseton, aka ‘SINKE’, aka
‘SEEL’, has been “exercising pictorial activity” since 1996. His desire to
display his artistic talents on open spaces began at an early age.
Specifically, his taste for drawing led him to re-paint his parent’s living
room: “It is a very good memory, but maybe not for everyone in my family!”
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| SEEL's BOMBUS 002 |
He discovered graphic art while skateboarding and through
graffiti, where he drew its nickname "think" and then "five"
(‘cinq’ in French) and finally "Sinke". While at university, Sylvain
studied art and visual communication before working with a design firm and
assisting several brands of street wear.
Paralleling his professional activity, Sylvian organized and
participated in several exhibitions, based around the intersection of graffiti,
graphic design and painting.
Sylvain took the pseudonym ‘SEEL’ in 2010, abandoned exhibitions
to focus on creating a free form of display, in order to be “out of sight of
others”, specifically so as to reconnect with his first love: drawing.
SEEL explains: “My inspirations are diverse: Whether it be a
leaf, JJ Audubon, Aslan (the French pin-up artist), tattoo art, typography of
the 70s and 80s … or things that return me to my childhood.”
iskm: How would you describe your work?
SEEL: The starting point is still typography, drawing
and the approach of the letter which remain the central elements at the base of
my creations. I am drawn to the female form and often mix an image with types
and collages taken from subway advertising because I love the spontaneity and
the recycling of the visual pollution of our society.
iskm: Your imagery and symbolism often use images of
destruction and death (skulls, planes, guns) but not in an overtly harsh way.
Why use these images in your work?
SEEL: For me, planes, skulls, guns are representations of vanity
and it's why there are always important in my work. I can't stop focusing on things
like death because “death is life”.
iskm: Why Kate Moss?
SEEL: At first, I would say that it is by chance, a
coincidence - I really liked the pose in the original picture, which I have
taken for my drawing. But the fact that it is a world famous model upset me
because I was always working with the idea of anonymous people.
Nevertheless, she represents the best and the worst at the same time, in a
similar vain to the idea of, and relationship between, death and life … the
iconic beauty and futility of the fashion business. So I adopted kate as my
model. Naturally.
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| Kate by Alas & Piggott |
iskm: How do you select your source kate image/s and what is
your process for appropriation?
SEEL: I usually create a "hybrid" girl, using
different parts from different bodies, in order to make a desired pose. But for
the Kate Moss series I worked directly from an image of her. Then I used only a
rotring to draw with dots, before combining my drawing with graphic parts taken
from various collages.
iskm: And you also screen print your kate onto background
images?
SEEL: Yes, I create unique screen print series on collage
backgrounds taken from old vintage playboy magazines, subway advertising or
spray paint on paper and then I hand screen print the Kate Moss image in Black
before doing any touching up if needed. I take background images that inspire me, whatever they are
or wherever they come from - but I love the old vintage adult magazine, I don't
know why but perhaps it reminds me of my childhood or bygone days!
iskm: Where do you find your source images?
SEEL: I have been collecting pictures since I was kid, and
of course with the web the access to images is now Huge. However, I am more and
more interested in vintage magazines, such as playboy, in order to select the
models I want to draw ...
iskm: How do you find the magazines and why choose the vintage adult pictures?
SEEL: I found a collection of playboy and French
magazines a few year ago... And some are from my father's collection. I used to
look at them in secret when I was kid … so I love those. I don't know why,
perhaps they give me more emotions, memories or puts me in a nostalgic mood.
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| A photo of SEEL's street work posted by a member of the public on instagram |
iskm: We found your work on social media posted by others.
Is the internet and social media now the latest form of public display and, as
such, taken the role of street image graffiti?
SEEL: I used to be more active on the streets when I worked
with graffiti, more than 10 years ago. For a few years I did not even display
what I did. I was not too motivated to show what I do cause I only wanted to do
it for me because I just wanted to draw.
I am not so active in the streets but I am slowly working back
into it … I don't really like the social networks and displaying work that way.
I am a little bit of a loner so I don't know how people interact with what I
do. However, one year ago I wanted to be back on the street because it is
the place of the ART...
iskm: Which photographers/artists would you most want to
most see involved in ishotkatemoss?
SEEL: Aslan is one of my favorite artists. For me he is a master
for the vintage pin up. He used to draw a playmate every month in a French
adult magazine call LUI during the eighties. Unfortunately, he recently died so
it is too late …
We here at ishotkatemoss find SEEL’s art powerful and
compelling. If you are fortunate enough to be in Paris, keep an eye out for his
images on the street. Alternatively, you can experience more of his creations at www.seelecta.fr
SEEL: Thanks for your support. Keep it up!
Just like SEEL dear readers ...
Observe. Slow Down. Shot.
Submit.
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