Anthony. Compagnie

Born in the province of Liège (Belgium) and trained in photography in Saint-Luc secondary school, Anthony Lambrette is a multidisciplinary artist who juggles the arts - especially photography (classic shots and collages, the only limit of which is his imagination) and illustration (strongly inspired by the neotraditional movement in the tattooing world). He got his first exhibitions in 2021 and works with many queer artists: drag queens, performers, and costume designers amongst others.

 

What inspired you to get into the arts, photography and illustration?

“That’s a good question! I think this is the willingness to translate all the ideas in my head (laughs) into the real world. When I was a child, I often took refuge in my little imaginary world. Now, my drawings and photographs allow me to place the characters dancing in my head into the real world.

Arts also help me focus. I suffer from dyslexia and it can be challenging to phrase my ideas on the spot. Thanks to the arts, I can change that fire inside me into something beautiful.

Finally, arts don’t lie. It tells you all you need to know about who a person really is in its heart.”

What is your creative process and what are the most important things you keep in mind when beginning a new project?

“First, I get inspired by the numerous artists I follow on social media. Then I mix up all the things that I like and I let my ideas age a bit, like a good wine. When one idea seems to be ready, I make a sketch, whether this is for a drawing or a photograph. Then I go through the creative process step by step and feed my work with all my values and actions. The result is the ultimate expression of who I am.

Let’s also keep in mind that it is important to me to question the motives behind what I do, and to make sure that it won’t hurt anyone and that it will faithfully reflect what I have in mind.”

What do you enjoy most about your craft?

“I’m a bit of a collector. I like to produce series of art pieces and put them side by side, in order to see the improvement, the beauty and the differences that arise from each and every one of them.

I also like to see doors opening when I do something new, when I learn something new or when I improve a newly acquired skill. That gives me access to a lot of new possibilities in terms of creation.”

Did you have any influential role models ? If so, who?

“If I had to name names, I would first mention all those Instagram "gallery" accounts, like @_false_face, which is a very inspiring account.

The great Dorothy Bhawl is a photographer who inspires me a lot, with his gallery of characters, imaginary monsters ... He has this way of talking about society through his art that is really interesting. His imagination has no limit, it's impressive.

As for illustrations, I would mention a lot of tattoo artists, mainly from Liège, like @hello.doud, who has an incredible technique, and a very personal and unique graphic touch.

Finally, I would say the whole neotrad movement, which has very impactful designs, with colors and subjects that speak to me a lot as an artist.”