The French Artist: Alexandre Benjamin Navet
Tell us a little bit about how you became Alexandre Benjamin Navet - the artist?
From what I remember I have always been drawing. My mother was an art student and my father used to work on a French radio. They also owned a gallery so I guess they have always been very supportive and encouraged me to pursue this creative potential. Drawing has always been very natural to me so I started studying applied arts and industrial design. I always carry a sketchbook with me. I start many of them to always have one in my bag. During a trip or visiting an exhibition or during a meeting I am always sketching. It is the most natural way to express my ideas.
Describe a time when you dared to dream...
When Van Cleef & Arpels invited me to take over New York Fifth Avenue with a colourful carte blanche. A dream come true!
Describe your art and design style in three words...
Colourful, immersive, joyful.
What’s been your favourite sketch of all time to create?
I think of a monumental insitu frescoes I created for the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris a few years ago.
You recently collaborated with Van Cleef & Arpels for their Frivole collection and interpreted the brand in your own colourful way, what was that journey like?
We are working together on the theme of nature and flowers every year a bit further. The maison is incredibly creative while being such a reference and exploring such an impressive savoir-faire. They dare to do many things, that is why I feel very honoured to have a new carte blanche to express new vocabularies while re-interpreting nthe codes of the Maison. Our creative connection is now based on long-term dialogue, it is a pure joy to be able to test new things together.
Was there a certain Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery piece from the collection which has really inspired you on this artistic journey?
Exceptional jewellery pieces from the Maison keep inspiring me a lot in this dialog with Van Cleef & Arpels. For example, a series of Birds brooches I discovered at l’Ecole des Arts Joailliers in Paris inspired me a lot lately.
Florals are such a big part of the Maison, and also seem to play a big role in your work in general, which is a nice alignment ― what is your favourite flower?
I have so many in the garden actually! Violets, peonies, clematis, delphinium...
What can always be found in your pockets?
Pencils. I always have a small box with me. 10 colours to express everything I want!
When working, is there a colour or shade you love above all others?
Yellow is always special. It creates optimism and solar energy.
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