AN ARTIST WHO FOUND REFUGE IN ART

Today we are very excited to present our conversation with Mohamed Mondher Mejri, an artist born and raised in an underprivileged neighbourhood of Tunis, he found refuge in art and a unique aesthetic and visual identity that comes across in all his work.

Influenced by a feminist mother and a painter uncle Sadok Mejri, I was immersed from an early age in cinema, literature and painting. Currently living in Lyon, France, I built my artistic universe and my own aesthetics. Thanks to a subtle balance between spontaneity and a well-studied staging, I invite the spectator to go beyond appearances.

Through portraits of great accuracy, I depict a society questioned through an artistic prism.

How has this year changed your creativity?

Sincerely it has been a very productive year for me, I always think that I have to put the negative things aside, and continue to go forward. We must always be ready to meet the challenges of our time.

It was actually nice to take a step back and focus more on what I want to say with my work. In a way the last year truly opened my eyes to what is most important to me.

Your greatest inspirations or influences?

I take inspiration from my environment and it changes depending on where I am at the moment.

I am also inspired by artists, ones I have collaborated with;

• Julie Simoneau, Lea Barosi & Clement Sanna -

• Hamza Sellmy and the brand "BANJER LAB" creating meaningful work is the best inspiration one can get in my opinion.

• Overall though, my biggest inspiration is music - to me it is an image stimulator,  music makes me see and imagine my future work, I would not be the same without music. 

Who do you consider to be an icon of our time?

There are so many amazing people out there that are genuinely making a difference. It is hard to pinpoint a specific person, but really anyone who puts themselves forward.

I admire Travis Scott and his avant garde approach, Laylow, M.I.A, Solange who are 360° artists and not only make music but produce their videos.

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