21 Degrees - Madura

Meeting with 21 Degrees

In the artist's universe, between plays of light and relief

Discovered thanks to our great stylist during a photoshoot, we fell in love with the work of Lou Bourgoin aka “21degrees”. Lou is an artist-designer whose work is distinguished by his ability to subtly handle visual composition, playing with reliefs, shadows and lights. Through his creations, he designs and creates a varied range of paintings, ranging from limited editions to unique pieces.

Entretien avec Lou 🎙️

Tell us a little about your journey as an artist

21 degrees is a creative workshop that I imagined thanks to my activities in the audiovisual field. For several years, I have been creating, with my teams, spaces, settings and objects directly linked to light, an essential component of the image profession.

During my projects, I discovered bas-relief and explored this universe in which lighting and volumes respond to each other. My work is the fruit of this journey where I develop collections of paintings, in limited editions or unique pieces, made of plays of shadows and lights.

What materials or techniques do you prefer to use in your art?

Wood and plaster are the two mediums I use because of their natural origins. Wood is the ecological material par excellence and allows precise work on shapes. As for plaster, I love its earthy texture and very matte appearance, which gives it its strength and deep softness.With these two materials, I draw abstract, minimalist forms. The gesture of the hand can be perceived, through the traces of the tool it directs or the material it shapes.

What are your main sources of inspiration to create your works?

I draw huge inspiration from architecture, which is an art of creating spaces and buildings that make volumes resonate with light. I am very sensitive to designs that rely entirely on this play between shapes and natural lighting. The circular path of light sets their reliefs in motion. The light variations give life to the different shapes which evolve over the hours and then offer, before our eyes, new readings. This is what I seek to explore with my paintings.

How would you describe your artistic style?

Minimalist and abstract, with neutral, timeless colors.

Your biggest project?

My biggest project was the creation of six large custom formats for a high-end production studio. I imagined the paintings, both in terms of dimensions, shapes and colors, so that they fit perfectly into the spirit of the place, taking inspiration from its aesthetic universe.

What is most important in choosing your decoration? (or your choice of painting in your decor)

The important thing in choosing your painting, beyond the emotion it arouses, is to reserve it a place where it will be highlighted by the light of the room. It is also essential to take an interest in the proportion it will occupy on the wall, and its color, so that it naturally integrates the space.

If you were a color?

If I were a color, right now I would be Terracotta. I love this earthy color which inspires me with warmth and serenity.

A favorite Madura product?

I like the Myrko table from Madura for its hand-worked texture which gives it a unique and artisanal look. Its simple and refined shape, like its color options, adapts easily to interiors.

Finally, three words to describe 21 degrees?

Light, softness and freedom.