Mythology Meets Modernism: Edouard Baribeaud's artworks transform the everyday

"I try to incorporate the motifs, stories, and myths I gather on my travels into my works, combining them with scenes and objects from everyday life," explains Edouard.

The young artist has playfully mastered all of the classic techniques (ink, watercolours, gouache) and he succeeds in creating effective stages. His themes include interpersonal relationships, individuals and their place in society, isolation, life, and death. Even though his heroic stories appear to date from antiquity, the drama in them could not be any more contemporary, allowing the viewer a great deal of room for interpretation.

"Actually, I wanted to illustrate children’s books. Even as a child, I loved books. My biggest role models were Michael Ende and Tomi Ungerer. While studying illustration and print graphics, I was able to intensify this passion. After graduating, I wanted to work more freely in the fine arts and create stories without having to tell them all the way to the end."

Now you enjoy viewing his work in a new monograph and art book entitled Edouard Baribeaud, which features three groups of works, amid essays by Imran Ali Khan, Pay Matthis Karstens, and Sabine Thümmler. It also presents the silk cloth designed by the artist for Hermès’ current fall collection. It is based on his watercolour Acte III, Scene I, La Clairiere, inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. With this, Baribeaud follows in the steps of renowned artists such as Hiroshi Sugimoto, Kermit Oliver, and Alice Shirley.

Edouard Baribeaud is published by Hatje Cantz and priced at €48. To find out more about Edouard, visit edbaribeaud.com.