DAMIEN DUFRESNE

I let my hands do the talking.

DAMIEN DUFRESNE

Damien Dufresne is an unconventional photographer: after building a reputation in the fields of cosmetics and advertising, working as an art photographer enables him to forget the rules of the fashion world. … 'Art photography provides me with real freedom; my imagination has free reign. I do not wish to be controversial but I stop at nothing. I follow my instinct. I create images that are meaningful and speak to me…’ … 'Drawing, painting and photography are a means of expression for me, to tell stories without the use of words, a form of language, a different way of communicating’… … ‘The technique is not an end in itself but a means of supporting creativity…emotion is the most important thing to me’ …. His strength: creativity. His uniqueness : texture and colour. His motivation: passion. Damien Dufresne has worked in Paris, Seoul, Milan, New York and Tokyo. He currently lives in Cambodia. Publications 2005 《Wake up》Publisher Assouline 2013 《Skin》Publisher Assouline 2018 《One》Self-publication, Printer Shanghai Artron Solo exhibitions 2012 Espace Pierre Cardin, Paris, France 2014 “Peinture sur soi”, Edward Achour Paris, Paris, France 2016 “Weird”, Salon H St Germain des Près, Paris, France 2016 “Through your eyes" Marie Dalgar 7th Crossover Art Project, Shanghai, China 2018 “Clandestins”, YellowKorner Francs Bourgeois Gallery, Paris, France

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References

Exhibitions

Glimpse of Emotion, 2022
Entrevoir l'Émotion (Livre), 2022
Photofairs, Shanghai, 2021
Wind, 2021
Photofairs, Shanghai, 2019
Murmur, 2019
ArtCN Shanghai (Livre), 2019
Commedia (Livre), 2019
Lost in Play 2, 2019
Errance, 2019
L'Œil de la Photographie, 2019
One (Livre), 2018
Clandestins, 2018
Lost in Play 1, 2017
Esquire Magazine, China, 2017
Marie Dalgar, Shanghai, 2016
Damien's Images, Vogue Japon, 2016
Normal Magazine, 2016
Making of (Film), 2016
Weird, Paris, 2016
Peinture sur Soi, Paris, 2014
Pixels of Identities, Venise, 2014
Skin, 2014
Damien's Book, 2010
Wake Up (Livre), 2004

Interview

How did you first become passionate about photography?

I have long worked in the studio as a make-up artist, alongside photographers, so that was how the desire to take my own photographs emerged.

What attracts you to portrait photography?

I don’t only do portraits, but it’s true that when I get closer to the person or character, I feel as though I’m able to perceive more emotion.

What would you like to photograph for your next series?

I don't know. But it will definitely be an extension of my current work.

Is make-up a major element in your photographs?

I don’t consider my work to be make-up. To me, make-up is synonymous with beauty and femininity. My work is to paint faces, to invent characters, to create different skin textures. I play with textures, layering, and colours.

How do you choose the subjects for your photographs?

I do not choose subjects; I choose models. Well, actually, I meet them by chance. The subject is the model; the model is my inspiration. It is him or her that breathes life into my work. For me, creativity is above all synonymous with freedom. I don’t like concepts; I seek images that move me, that speak to me. It’s emotion that interests me. Obviously my mood also comes into it as well: some days I go with white, other days black. I’m no different than anyone else... fragile.

How would you describe your work in a few words?

It is hard to define one’s own work or even talk about it. But if I had to give you just a few words I would say: instinctive, intuitive.

Which moment did you most enjoy taking a photo of? Why?

The first time I put two characters into my frame. Up until then, I’d directed just one character and the day the second character entered my viewfinder; I knew that this work would become a passion.

Who are your favourite YellowKorner photographers?

Laurent BAHEUT, Nicolas GUERIN, Lee JEFFRIES, Juliette JOURDAIN, Mathieu RICARD, and Maria SVARBOVA, among others.

Any anecdotes about your YellowKorner photographs?

Besides Rise, modelled by Marco Silva, the four other portraits are those of Lin Jun Han, a young Taiwanese architect who I met at a flea market. We had both been attracted to the same small Buddha statue and both wanted to buy it, so we struck up a conversation. I had a shoot scheduled for the next day and one of my models had pulled out, so I suggested he replace him. That was in 2012 and our collaboration, which continues, has become a friendship.

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