Using white lines, Ilias Walchshofer crafts narratives on to already existing stories, creating worlds that are profound and humorous, cleverly observed and sensuous It’s therefore no surprise that he’s become one of the most sought-after artists and illustrators today.
SLEEK: Our meeting is taking place in Paris. Is that your base now?
Ilias Walchshofer: I lived in Berlin for 11 years and it was time to try Paris. I’ve always had this love for Paris and I’ll be moving my studio here in the summer too. I’ve always wanted to live in Paris.
S: Do you need a certain aesthetic environment for inspiration?
IW: In general, I’m flexible with my work and not tied to any one place. All the creatives, photographers and designers who are working together in Paris – that’s more the incentive for me to be here.
S: Can you briefly describe your career?
IW: I studied motion design in Berlin, specialising in directing and animation. At the same time, I always continued drawing and I put my drawings to one side. My archive was a blog where I just posted everything. And as a result, I was approached by a magazine that wanted an editorial and a cover. This story actually happened pretty early on, and I realised how much fun it was. It was cool that people saw my drawings, and if they could be used as an idea for future work, so much the better. I don’t remember any conscious decision, just an idea of how it might happen. The encouragement and interest in my drawings was a decisive moment.
Illustration Courtesy of the Artist.
S: How does your work come about? Is there a strict framework or do you have the freedom to add your stories, your interpretation, your sense of humour?
IW: From the start, I was drawing these clean, white lines – it’s my signature. What is then looks like in detail varies considerably. Sometimes the framework is stricter, but often there’s also a conscious desire for my own interpretation. Then I get the material and really have a lot of fun and a great deal of freedom and confidence. That feels really good. The personal stories always flow unconsciously into it. It’s the kind of thing you can’t control.
S: Do you find it hard to get started?
IW: I’m really lucky! It’s not really hard for me at all. For example, if I get a photo, the finished picture just occurs to me – it’s always a kind of magical moment. My setup is that I sit in the studio, turn on the music and get started. Then I’m in the loop and drawing constantly for hours. I don’t feel I have to show respect or get anxious – for me everything happens through feeling and trying stuff out. I have to say that the more exciting the source material is – a good photo or a great video – the more I get into it and my vision is much clearer.
S: Which topics inspire you and really stimulate your imagination?
IW: Definitely the kinds of collaboration where other people carry me away and give me new information. I find everything that leads me to other, unknown paths and perspectives incredibly exciting.
Images Courtesy of the Artist.
S: Being able to draw stories or add an extra layer seems to me like a journey of discovery and a gift. What is your perception of this?
IW: Drawing and doodling have always been an outlet for calming myself down. For me, it’s such a good medium for sorting myself out and concentrating. The more drawing took up space and I got better and better at it, the freer I felt. And because I practised constantly and everywhere, I gained confidence. That’s the best gift and I’m always learning more. Now I’m at a point where I realise that a lot of what I imagine as stories can be made real.
S: Are you working on your own projects?
IW: Constantly [laughs]. I have so many pictures that will never be published but are just made for myself. I’m working on an exhibition in which I’ll be drawing with acrylics and oils. I need that as a good balance with my commissioned work. Every month I give myself a few days off that are just for my own work and ideas.
S: What else is grist to your creative mill?
IW: Here in Paris, everything happens on the street. People live life outdoors. You can sit in a café and just watch and you’ll get a complete mood board of inspirations. I love that.
Illustration Courtesy of the Artist.
S: And is there anything you would really like to do?
IW: Oh yeah. In fact, for ages I’ve longed to do something in interior design. I can really see myself designing wallpaper, carpets, curtains, cutlery and porcelain. My idea is this would make my kind of art even more tangible and accessible. I would really love that. My mum is from Morocco, which probably explains my affinity for textiles and fabrics.
S: How would you describe passion?
IW: I’m aware of passion when I can’t help doing something. It’s kind of a self-evident ‘I’ll do it now’ feeling. When you have that, no matter how exhausting it is, what the circumstances are, what hurdles arise – whatever – it’s still fun and it just feels good. For me, this describes the passion within the creative process. That’s how it feels to me.
As featured in SLEEK 73 – PASSION. Available in print and digital here.