Meet Sebastien Courty | Textile Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sebastien Courty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sebastien, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As an artist, I like to reflect, work, and create according to my own instinct and own rules. Becoming self-employed and a business owner made sense for the choice I was going to be able to make, the freedom I’ll have to control my lifestyle and schedule, and of course the ability to follow my passion.

I couldn’t imagine being forced to follow someone else’s vision, timing and work ethic. I didn’t want to get held back on what I could and couldn’t do. I wanted to be able to decide on which projects to work on and which project to pass on.
Now, having a business is certainly challenging and requires a lot of work and organization, but it motivates me to be financially self-sufficient while doing what I love.

My approach is to bring my clients conceptual visions to life by creating artworks that surpass their expectations respecting their requirements while staying true to my artistic signature and style.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It all started in France when I first wanted to become a jeweller / goldsmith. I then attended the Fine Art School in Paris with a major in Sculpture. After a few years I realised that jewelry making and sculpture did not offer me enough flexibility and freedom in my creations. I wanted to play with colors, texture and mix materials as much as I possibly could.

I move to New York in 2012 and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile and Surface Design. I quickly connected the dots with between the different techniques I knew and the new medium I discovered and decided to become a “Textile Artist”.
I now create textile artworks using traditional methods such as hand weaving and thread drawing. Not limited to fiber, I used any material that allows any of these two techniques inter alia in order to create contemporary textile artworks.

I didn’t want to be a textile artist who only uses cotton, silk or polyester yarns. I wanted to push Textile to the front of the Art Scene by changing its perception. I am working with 24 karats gold, gemstones tobacco leaf to name a few to emphasise the preciousness and rareness of my creations. It is Textile, yes but, most and foremost Artworks that are durable, intricate, luxurious, contemporary and conceptual.

Each time I start a new project or new series I always begin by answering three questions:

“How does the project tackle the question of sustainability?”

“How will the artwork open conversations?”

“How will it convey an invitation to travel?”

For example, my collection of “TOTEM, A WALL’S JEWELRY” takes inspiration in the natural resources and commercial activities of a specific country, city or region. Embodying its culture and traditions the hand-woven panel opens to conversation and debate about history and world’s relations.
Combining rare, precious, and unexpected components such as silver thread, rubber, banana fibers or tobacco leaf to name a few, the final artwork becomes an invitation to travel and discover parts of the world one has yet to explore.

My concept offers unlimited possibilities. Adapting my research and proposals to any inspiration, space, and budget, I work with a clear consciousness of environmental challenges. Using recycled or repurposed elements and sourcing materials from fair trades, any artwork is a thoughtful approach to the question of sustainability. I am driven by the creation of works that redefine our notions of unity, concept, representation and personal expression.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many things to see and restaurant to discover in New York City.

We’ll probably start with the SHED in Hudson Yards. Their programming is always amazing. Followed by a lunch in little Spain at Mercado. For a great dinner with an amazing ambiance we will go in the west village at “Joseph Leonard”.
The Whitney Museum is always a good idea followed by a dinner at ILILI, my absolute favourite Lebanese restaurant.
A day wandering in Soho with a lunch at Cafe Gitane, a moroccan and french fusion restaurant. Dinner in Chinatown at Dim-sum GOGO is a must!
Maybe a full day in Brooklyn. Dinner at the ACE Hotel followed by drinks at “Maison Premiere” for their exquisite extra dirty martini.
Classic NY Bagel for breakfast with iced coffee of course, and because my friends are sushi lovers we’ll go enjoy a testing menu at “Sugar Fish” in Soho. To end the night how about some good vibes in Harlem, Bixi is for sure a good address!
Finally weekend Brunch at Empire State Diner and an art gallery tour in Chelsea.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I grew up in France and the first “Shout Out” is for my uncle “Fillou”. I was often at his house since he lived across the street. He would always hand me a bunch of things such as paper, fabric and maybe a few metallic elements. He would sit next to me and would tell me : “My boy you have a few hours to create something with all of this.”
The best lesson I have ever received from him was when he told me to always colour outside the lines, I was probably six year old. He is certainly the reason I’m an artist today.

During my time in Paris, my mentor was Gilles Becker, an artist, fashion designer, teacher and a late 80’s social life guru. The guidance I was lucky enough to receive from this man is still to this day the pillars of my artist career.

Website: www.sebastiencourty.com

Instagram: @sebastiencourty

Linkedin: @sebastiencourty

Twitter: @sebastiencourty

Facebook: @sebastiencourty

Image Credits
photo credit Sabrina Young