Inspired by his surroundings, this London-based contemporary artist explores his own ideas of ‘utopia’ through his artistic practice, L’enfant. His alias is a direct representation of his visual style, childlike; a perfect juxtaposition to his subject matter that can sometimes verge on the eerie. His work guided by emotion whether dark and creepy or happy and light is portrayed through a variety of mediums including, painting and sculpture. L’enfant is his sinful and self-liberated release.

How would you describe yourself and your work to those who don’t know you?

Limitless. I love creating, regardless of the medium. I express myself through my art, which enables total freedom and self liberation. My art doesn’t have parameters, and is led by my emotion and a sense of achieving artistic freedom. I’m a multi-platform based artist, and I don’t restrict myself with pre conceived ideas and processes.

You started this project when you moved to London at the end of 2016, how would you say has London influenced your work and style?

London has allowed me the opportunity to meet a whole array of people, all entirely unique and bringing something different to the table. It’s a city free from judgement and limitations. I’m inspired by the people I've met along the way, and seeing how they express themselves enables me to feel at home and able to express my own identity through my work.

Your art is expressed in a wide variety of mediums, which would you say is your favourite?

Painiting! It’s like my meditation, a way of relieving anxiety and the pressures of the world. I don’t have concepts, I just allow myself to drift into an unconscious world. My work never gets old to me and remains satisfying, because I’ll never be able to envisage what I'll produce next. I don’t get the same sense of euphoria from my other lines of work, no matter how much love I have for them.

You’ve mentioned that this project was a way to create your own ‘utopia’ so, what is your utopia? Describe it to us in as much detail as possible!

I see my utopia as like my own form of some twisted Disney Land. I’m not held back by any constraints, and as I'm unable to foresee what i’ll create, I wanted to put my energy into something that makes sense as a whole. It’s grown to include Movies, Toy Collections, Art and Styling etc. From a young age, I’ve had a desire to create my own world. A world that makes sense to me, and especially one where-by I feel free. I want to include my vision that I'm able to share with others, with a sense of importance on artists being able to stay original and confident in their ideas. I’ve personally had people imitate my work, which is flattering but i’ve always been drawn to the Picasso quote ‘Good artists copy, great artists steal’. I keep this at the forefront of my mind, no matter what I create.

Explain the ‘Circle 10’.

I’ve always been drawn to a poem I was gifted for my 21st, called ‘Divine Comedy’ by Dante Aligheri. In this, Dante was guided through hell into an inferno where sinners were forced to ensure ‘Contrapasso’ (As he describes ‘the relationship between sin and the resulting justification in Hell). He goes on to describe the ‘9 Circles’ of hell, with each holding it’s own form of sin. It made me reflect and confused at the fact that some of the worst things imaginable weren't included. The Circle 10 is for the missing sins, a release of emotions for me. Part of my own hell, and a way to justify my dark side which appears constantly in my art.

Your work is childlike but also eerie; how do you achieve this? What does your creative process look like?

I approach my art with a roller coaster mentality. I experience such a daily array of emotions, and surreal circumstances that I wanted to approach my art from that same perspective. Sometimes I’m angry (the dark side) and other times I'm happy, so I allow my emotions to guide my work. I always draw back to my own utopia, and keep this at the forefront of what I do.

What are you currently working on?

I always create multiple projects in tandem. Currently my focus is on Animation in the form of my own story ‘Diamond Sword’. It’s 5 chapters long, and sits in it’s own sphere and universe, away from any of my other creations, complete with its own map. I won’t give too much away, as no description could really do it justice. You should check it out. I’m also enjoying working on what I label ‘Jouets’ which is French for Toys. It’s a collection of sculptures, each one unique in it’s own way. I’m slowly releasing these online so keep an eye out for more.

What does the future look like for you and your art?

It’s limitless. I allow my art to create its own sense of purpose, and if this is something that resonates with others then great. If not, it’s a way for me to express myself without fear of judgement. I hope to keep creating, with a free mentality without being held back by the opinion of others. Who knows where this will lead, but my hope is that people find a home within my work, and are able to feel the same sense of liberation in both my work and they do their own.