The work of French artist Fabienne Rivory – known in the arty world by the moniker Labokoff – makes us feel all light and airy, like we're floating in the clouds, while simultaneously washing over us with a wave of melancholy that we just can't shake.

Experimenting with the link between painting and photography, the talented lady walks the line between the real world and imagination, dreams and reality. We had a chat about doodling, childhood nostalgia and how art can bring two very different people together.



What is your name and how old are you? My name is Fabienne Rivory, I am 38.

Where were you born and where do you live now? I was born in France and I live near Paris.

How does where you grew up and where you live now affect your art? It affects my art a lot, as many of my photographs were taken in these places, and are linked to personal memories. My parents still live in the village I was born and it's a place that evokes for me childhood nostalgia. I love to take photos there.



Please describe the space where you do most of your creation – whether it's your art studio or kitchen bench! A room in my house is dedicated to my work, a luminous, simple and quiet place.

What kind of mediums do you use? Why do you choose to use these mediums? I use photography and painting (mostly gouache and inks, but I'm beginning to appreciate working with oil as well). Photography is the beginning of my work, I like the idea that it restores a minuscule, fugitive moment of our life. The intrusion of painting in these frozen memories allows me to shift them in a more subjective and dreamy way. It also brings vibrancy, spontaneity and randomness to raw photographs.



Is there a running theme to the work you create, or do you just make whatever comes to mind? In one way or another my work is nearly always connected to memories and nostalgia. In terms of shape, I like to work with minimalist landscapes - their graphic strength and evocative power inspires me.

What kinds of ideas and things are you working on at the moment? I have wanted to create large-scale works for a long time, and I'm experimenting with several techniques of printing and painting to achieve that.

If you were to teach an art appreciation class, what kind of lessons would you try to teach your students? I can't really imagine myself teaching that, but I'd say be confident and open minded, rely on your own feelings.



Do you think people need to understand the artist's intention to appreciate the art? No, I'm not sure it's always necessary. For some kind of works, of course it gives clues. Art can create a link between people who are very different, I find that interesting. In the art I appreciate most, it's more a question of emotion than reflection.

Which era of art do you appreciate the most? I'd say Abstract Expressionism, the sight of Rothko's paintings was an aesthetic shock for me.

What do you doodle when you are daydreaming? Words, circles, little characters...



What do you enjoy doing when not creating art? I enjoy spending time with my three children. That fills a lot of my spare time!

Where can we see more of your work?
labokoff.com
labokoff.fr