In Focus: Anthony Laurencin
At 31 years old, Anthony Laurencin is an emerging new artist from North Kensington. He currently has several of his paintings adorning the e-LINE clinic walls and we love his style.
“I want people to stare at my paintings and feel whatever they are moved to feel.”
Anthony Laurencin
How did you get into painting?
I grew up with an interest in art and loved to doodle, but never took it seriously or thought it could be something I could develop. In the first lockdown in early 2020, my sister’s neighbour was moving house and had an unused canvas that my sister took and gave to me. That’s where I did my very first painting. I felt that I was in the right space and time to take my art further. What inspired the artwork at e-LINE?
After a 2-year sabbatical I found myself a little bored. I have always been a person that loves to work. My friends were always asking where I found interior objects and so I decided to put a small collection together and have a home sale. I was sold out in 24 hours. From there, I held 3 sales a year and started working on bespoke projects before opening my showroom which now runs by appointment and showcases exclusive items. We also have a website with most of our items available to shop online.
What inspired the two pieces that we have hanging at e-LINE?
Entitled Self Portrait 1, this is my, as the name suggests, first self-portrait. I have always been interested in the understanding of how to draw my own face and had learnt from school the details of my face and its features. The mouth is characterised by a ‘key-hole’ which represents how I am naturally a quiet person and that being around the right people unlocks my talkative side. The face consists of traffic like colours which symbolises how to understand when I need to stop, reflect, or just go. The blue in the eyes glow in different settings which can be transfixing.
Painting 2, entitled the Cave Protector highlights hope for me. The character depicted perhaps might initially seem quite daunting. There might be situations where obstacles holding back your actions or feelings. I wanted to convey that sometimes, it takes effort and you need to push these away, whatever they may be to move to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Self Portrait No.1
What do you hope people will feel when they see your paintings?
I want people to stare at my paintings and feel whatever they are moved to feel. I don’t want to tell anyone what my paintings should make them think or feel. I like that they are open to interpretation.
What is your technique for creating your work?
I always start with some sort of small sketch for the seed of my idea. It normally goes off on a tangent once my paint is on the canvas, but it helps focus my mind to have a seed of an idea first. My current discipline uses acrylic and I like using that method for my art for now.
Where is your studio and why did you choose that setting to work in?
I moved into a studio in shepherds Bush in February 2021. My home carpet was becoming covered in paint and wasn’t ideal so, needed a space I could break free. I like being in a space with fellow artists as it’s a great place to exchange ideas or just have the silence and privacy if I need it.
How do you come up with the subject matter for your work?
My current paintings are always focussed on a person or character. This may develop or change in the future, but for now, I see importance of developing this.
Where do you see your artwork going in the future?
I would love to exhibit my work in New York. That’s the dream. There is a buzz right now in London and I’m in talks about a potential exhibition in Portobello in May.
