"Art speaks for itself"

‘Délicatesse des couleurs’, the tenth exhibition in Salzburg’s Hangar-7, presents young artists from France – for example Julien Beneyton, born in 1977, who tells us something worth knowing about his meticulous, urban-realistic paintings.

Firstly, please give us a few details about you: What do you like, what can’t you stand, and what do you laugh about the most?

Most of all of course I love the people who are close to me and whom I enjoy spending time with; apart from that I love eating and laughing. I like good films and hip hop and have fun painting. The things or people I don’t like or that I object to are too many to mention here.

Which three artists – also from different genres if you like – touch you?

Hieronymus Bosch, Otto Dix and Public Enemy.

What do observers of your art usually notice first … ?

Their realism, wealth of detail; their special style and the social surroundings of their motives.

... and what makes it characteristic in your opinion?

My own opinion is not important; the paintings should speak for themselves.

Please give us some insight into the working environment where most of your works are created. Is it sterile or chaotic; quiet or full of life?

My studio isn’t big; is neither sterile nor too chaotic – but I’m not the right person to judge that objectively. I share the studio with others, which means it is sometimes very quiet and sometimes full of life. When I paint I always listen to rap music.

Please choose one of your exhibited works and describe in a few words how it developed and what the idea behind it is.

In ‘Boutilimit, Mauritania’ I wanted to depict the atmosphere of this town in the desert. I tried to capture the relationship between people and the local lifestyle and numerous details thereof. In addition to my observations I obtained reams of photos of its inhabitants, houses and other objects. While painting they served as a memory device.

What would be the ideal feeling or awareness that observers leave the Hangar-7 exhibition with?

A stupid question. I hope they’ll be glad to have been there.