De Peter de Kuster pour son projet « The Heroine’s journey », le 13 octobre 2017
What is the best thing that I love about my work?
Freedom to decide everyday the shape I want to, to create, experiment and live on a rhythm I decide. And especially freedom I feel in front of a white canvas, that beginning energy when everything is possible… When I paint it’s like a travel over space and time I love it !
What is my idea of perfect happiness?
I think there are small, precious moments of happiness, not necessarily perfect. To me it’s not a destination or a goal to achieve, it is already there if you accept to feel it… it’s the path itself ! Feeling I’m at the right place, here and now, feeling I have the life I want, with all that it contains, makes me happy.
What is my greatest fear?
To be blocked by fear. I wouldn’t like that ! I try to challenge myself whenever I feel it between me and the goal to achieve. And as a painter, to have physical injuries on my hands, or eyes. But I guess I would find a way to adapt and go beyond !
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
My perfectionism, the pressure I put on myself which is still sometimes inappropriate and exaggerated.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
Generally speaking, artists passionately dedicated to their art with authenticity, galerists, collectors or curators who fight for an artist they believe in, with a genuine intention.
What is my greatest extravagance?
My unstoppable amount of energy. Or my speech flow ! On what occasion would I lie? To help and protect someone.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
Managing all the self promotion stuff. One day I wish to be helped with this so that I can just paint and create.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
Any moment I’m creating ! When I feel the urgence and immediate need to paint. I have not found any other powerful release to free myself from everything than painting. And also, everytime a person had a heart crush on one of my paintings, when I could see stars in one eyes who felt something special about my work that couln’t be explained.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
I would love to be able to resist temptation more. My hedonism, spontaneous taste for life and curiosity could use to be tempered sometimes !
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Being creative every day. I am very proud to live from my art and it is a wonderful feeling, yet a day-to-day personal challenge. It is not just a dream I try every day to transform into reality, but also a declaration of independence, the will to start from oneself and the courage of doing it. It is and has always been a need, a necessity and to finally allow myself to be a full time painter, be where and who I am today, is my greatest achievement.
Where would I most like to live?
So many places ! But for now, after ten years in Paris, I decided to impulse a change and live in a small village by Les Cevennes, in the south of France, where I’m happy to experience a slow lifestyle, surrounded by a wild inspiring nature.
What is my most treasured possession?
My life experiences. The persons I love. All in one : life, time, freedom, family and friends. Without it I would not enjoy all the other things.
What is my most marked characteristic?
My passionate optimistic energy, joyful playfulness and creativity. I can’t stop my unabashed enthusiasm in wanting people feel good and smile.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
I come from the atlantic coast, and the ocean has always been a great inspirational partner. But now, in the village of Sauve I live in, that would be La Mer des Rochers, a beautiful hiking spot where the view is so wide that I feel tiny and I love it. Maybe because it is a recent change, but anywhere around here anyway, the light, the different kinds of blue and green, is inspiring.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
I just moved in, I still have to check out all the places to tell ! But I hear good things about La Cantine, where they make day to day “cuisine de marché” in a beautiful old house.
What books influenced my life and how?
Several books, I pass on naming them, sorry ! I am variable in literature (music and art ) things. Each one for a different reason marked important moments in my life… I oriented my readings depending of what I needed to learn, feel or find. Like I do for music or cinema, which have too big roles in my daily life.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
Nina Simone, “Ain’t got no, I got life”. Or wait ! That would depend on how my last day would look like as I choose music I listen to depending of my humor and state of the moment
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Here a few, each for specific qualities I admire : “Thelma and Louise, Indiana Jones’, ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and many others
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Those who have the courage to act, to believe in oneself, to engage and fight for what they want, yet giving heart, kindness and empathy. Jeanne d’Arc, Mandela, Martin Luther King, Nina Simone, Gandhi, Erin Brokovitch, my partner, my parents, some great friends… Well known or not whatever, it is the cause or values they defend and how they do it which matters and inspire me.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
Eternal Sunshine or the Spotless Mind by Michel Gondry
What role plays art in my life and work?
Art is completely linked to my life, it is everyday around. It can be a movie, a painting, a family, a garden, a landscape, a good meal.. whatever rises ourselves.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
Not only one person but I would say everybody, directly or not, involved in my life plays a role. Everybody who believed, or believe, in my work, helps me on the way to my realisation as an artist and reminds me how to be true to myself. I’m thankful and lucky to be that well surrounded by day-to-day great supporters !
Whom would I like to work with in 2017?
But I would love to work with a galerist or a curator to challenge myself and work more and more. And a collaboration with musicians or artists in different areas could be fun.
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017?
I would love to have real talking with artists such as Cecily Brown, Jules de Balincourt and Prune Nourry, among others.
What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on?
Looking forward to something in 2018. Will let you know soon ! Now for what’s left of 2017, I’m focused on painting new series of work
Where can you see me or my work in 2017?
In Paris you can see some paintings in the Artotheque ECLA of Saint-Cloud, in Montpellier at galerie Samira Cambie and my studio, open to anyone who wants to visit !
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
I totally agree ! These words sum my life up, it’s a lifestyle. Not much more to say.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Julie Coustarot, Justine Lecouffe, Adelaïde Potherat, Carole Bouvier, Véronique Lafont, Myrtille Lancelle and many others… Everyone has an interesting story to tell.
Textes d’exposition
- Souffle
- Bird
- De tout il resta trois choses
- Aux Souffles, Aux Terres, Aux Mers, Aux Lumières
- Matière et sentiments
- Pour Parler d’Elle
- Sex on the beach – Stirred not shaken
- Evasion tropicale
- La passion sincère
- À la recherche de l’accomplissement
- Un Regard sur les Arts