life & style
Wall Art
When faced with a bare wall, French painter and visual artist Elsa Jean de Dieu doesn’t draw a blank. Instead, her stunning, hand-painted masterpieces are putting Hong Kong on the mural map, writes Adele Brunner How long have you been an artist? I come from a family of artists – my grandfather and great-grandfather were both painters – and I started creating art before I went to school. I studied art and interior design in Paris, and then went to the Atelier Tourtoulou. There, I learnt how to become a specialist painter in the traditional way by studying and perfecting special mural art techniques such as how to achieve trompe l’oeil effects. When did you set up your company? After moving to Hong Kong in 2008, I worked first with a local company and then with an interior designer friend of mine. I subsequently struck out on my own and set up my wall design company Elsa Jeandedieu Studio in 2015. I’ve worked mostly with corporate clients – such as Chanel, Pure Yoga, Pure Fitness and Tate Dining Room - but I think the demand for residential murals is growing. Why do you think that is? Hong Kong’s style and design tastes are changing and people are looking for something unique. Nine years ago, Sheung Wan, Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun were totally different to the way they are today – they are really cool areas now – and the same goes for art. One of the problems here, however, is that many people don’t own their apartment or house and they move around a lot. I can produce something on canvas, which I do in my workshop, but I prefer working directly on a wall. It’s more fun. How do you feel when faced with a blank wall? Super excited! I love that I can start with nothing and in a few hours create a story. It is a magical feeling and always gives a room great character and energy. However, once I start work, I don’t stop until I get it looking just right. This can often be stressful because I sometimes get stuck in the 42 expat-parent.com