Toulouse: the Pépinière gives a boost to local graffiti artists
“La Pépinière -Artist residence” opened in the Saint-Simon district, at the instigation of Ceet Fouad, with the aim of promoting Toulouse graffiti artists. She currently hosts exhibitions in her gallery.
“Here, it’s a unique place, specializing in street art and graffiti, which allows local artists to develop their art,” says Toulouse graffiti artist Ceet Fouad, famous for his chickens. Called “La pépinière — Artist residence”, this famous place opened at 1 bis chemin Neuf, in the Saint-Simon district, south of Toulouse. Divided into two parts, La Pépinière includes a workshop where the artists work as well as a gallery. For the time being, it is the young Toulouse graffiti artist Jibe-One who is exhibiting his very colorful works.
“We bring people who paint in the street here to show them all the possible ways. It is a pity that their ephemeral works do not leave traces for life. Also, we want to concentrate on a piece of canvas or a sculpture, what these artists do in the public space. This can be a springboard for them to collaborate with clothing brands or something else”, continues Ceet Fouad, who has put all his experience, energy and reputation at the service of the Pépinière.
Without the confinement that blocked him in Toulouse, this graffiti artist, who spends most of his time in Shenzhen, in southern China, (where he already has an artist residency called Jardin Orange), would not have been able to -be -be ever created this nursery, with the support of the town hall. At first, the artist used this space to continue working during confinement. “Then little by little, I transformed it and started inviting artists. This is how the residency was born”, sums up the graffiti artist from Toulouse. Moreover, the latter has already connected him with Jardin Orange and hopes to invite the most successful Chinese artists to Toulouse. And vice versa.
In the absence of its creator, the Pépinière is managed by Elise who manages relations with buyers, collectors, monitors artists, orders… to “allow graffiti artists to work in peace as if they were in a monastery”, finished Ceet Fouad.
Outside the exhibitions, visits to the site are by appointment*. This Friday, from 6 p.m., the Pépinière invites you to a major charity exhibition with works from all over the world.