Pierre Debusschere - A world renowned creative talent
His clients include V Magazine, Dazed & Confused, Vogue, Beyonce and many more: Pierre Debusschere is a high-profile, sought after creative of today.
With a flair for striking visuals loaded with art references, Debusschere blends mediums such as film, photography, art curation and commercial work – in a way that feels authentic and true to his vision. His latest exhibition at his studio “254Forest” defies the limitations of art viewing during a global pandemic.
Tell us a bit about you; the person behind the wonderful work
I used to be quite shy, but I’m working on that! Bringing out personal works like this new personal exhibition Spectrum helps me a lot, as showing such intimate parts of who I am, whilst exhibiting my work gives me a happy feeling. Finding your identity is a constant process.
Your cross-disciplinary studio “254 Forest” brings many creatives to collaborate under one roof: what’s that like?
Co-creating 254Forest with my friend Rebecca Cuglietta helped me a lot: it’s amazing to have the time to explore one’s universe in depth over time, it gives the work more dimension and diversity. There is a social aspect to co-working that I find fascinating. It is also a prefect environment that pushes the collaborative process between like-minded and not so like-minded people to come up with something unique.
in motion & ever-evolving
Pierre Debusschere
What was it like to hold an exhibition during. a global pandemic?
We had to push the original date as it was planned in April, to open this September was to step into the unknown but with a pleasant outcome as it was not a typical one day opening. I was present for several days and it was a good experience for me to have more time to discuss with the viewers and they had more space to see the work and take it slow.
Your favorite part of the collaborative process?
The moment where you know you don’t have to speak anymore, the moment you know when your minds are aligned.
Your work gets a lot of attention on social media, how does getting online recognition change the way you perceive and produce your art?
In Spectrum I kind of work against the rules of censorship on social media, I wanted to have a sense of liberation of the body, enveloping those bodies helped me to go against that: without the fabric, I would not be able to publish those images on social platforms; I’m happy I found liberation through covering. It was like a workshop for me: I found a language where I can develop my fascination with the body in todays world.
Can you share with us any music that shaped who you are as a person, or that inspires you?
Nine Inch Nails when I saw them live at 15. At that time they had a tour with visuals from Bill Viola. At that same festival I had my first encounter with electronic music which was the very visceral set of Green Velvet. The knife and how they used the stage was a big influence too. Right now I feel good in the dream like world of Malibu mmmmalibu.bandcamp.com
You’ve worked with Beyonce at different stages of your life, growing individually as artists together, can you tell us more about your creative collaboration?
I worked with B for 7 years now, and every time we work together it is more and more a collaboration state, she is more and more involved in a very good way. she has the power to bring the best in me: we are constantly pushing each other further.
Anything you would like to say to our Plastik audience?
‘ Embrace diversity ‘ - It is a campaign I worked on in my city Brussels and my way of projecting a message to the world in light of all the tragedies happening.
Interviewed by Philippe Ghabayen