Pushing the Boundaries of Art and Design: Interview with Jérémie Queyras

I am very interested in the question “why do we make art?”, “why do people make art?” And more than that, “Where does creativity come from?”

In an intimate talk, Jérémie tells us about how his time at PCA was essential for his success and now, as he returns to the place that played such a pivotal role in his artistic development, he reflects with us how PCA helped him get to where he is today.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us more about your background? When did you graduate from PCA?

My name is Jérémie Queyras, I’m French-German and I have a background in painting in all its shapes, forms and expressions. I originally wanted to be an architect, but then I thought, “Why not paint? It’s the same, just without the math.” I graduated in May 2023, last year, and I did a Master of Fine Arts in Transdisciplinary New Media at Paris College of Art. Before that, I studied for three years in the United Kingdom, at the Art Academy London. There, I learned everything I know about techniques and craft in art, when it comes to painting and drawing.

When did you start painting?

I started painting when I was a kid, mostly when my grandmother took me to museums, I used to make copies of famous paintings. This happened in Germany mostly, but in France as well. After my time in the UK, I saw myself back in France, at home, because of Covid. I had two years in which I didn’t know what to do and was painting a lot and trying to start my career, selling some work. After the pandemic, I wanted to expand my knowledge. I have always been intrigued by questions like ”Why do we make art?”, ”Why do people make art”. And more than that, ‘Where does creativity come from?”  All of that was being shaken up by Artificial Intelligence (AI). I saw that PCA offered that course and became very interested in it.

Why did you choose the Master of Fine Art in Transdisciplinary New Media at PCA?

At the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew that this course would give me the opportunity to explore more about AI and art, and about the impact of technology in it. I chose PCA because they were the only school that offered this kind of program – it was centered around technology. I felt like I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to make art. I knew I would learn about practice but also about theory, which was very important to me.

How did your time at PCA shape your journey as an artist? Were there specific projects that had a lasting impact on your career?

Without PCA, all the art you see here in this exhibition would not exist. They are all infused with technology in some way, and all of that was only possible with the tools that I gained at school and with everything that I learned here. As for this exhibition presented in PCA’s Gallery, it was actually my degree project itself. That was the one I worked on for many months with AI and GPT and put a lot of effort into. I built this relationship with GPT and my main goal was to make artwork with a machine. I gave it the freedom to decide my art. That project really changed my approach to art on a large scale.

I think it’s so interesting that you built this relationship with art and technology for this project. Don’t you think it’s curious?

It is. And also, in a way, it’s about being transparent with what we have nowadays. Most painters already use technology to make art. People use iPads, computers and all kinds of technology to paint.

What role did PCA play in helping you transition from a student to a professional artist?

That’s a good question! I already had a practice in art, but as you can see, PCA invited me, an Alumnus of just 1 year, to exhibit my art. That ‘s wonderful. I always had a good relationship with the teachers, and still do to this day. I built a strong network here of friends and colleagues. That helped me a lot to become a professional.

What was the most valuable thing from PCA that continues to influence you now?

One of the key highlights of my experience at PCA, particularly in my program, was the incredible diversity I encountered. I had the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from various creative backgrounds—graphic design, modelling and animation, film, photography—and myself, coming from a painting background. So I had all these people, from completely different fields, working and learning together in one place. That was very valuable to me. I felt like I learned almost as much from my peers than I did from the teachers. The community was very impactful.

What about “Harmon-i”, can you tell us more about the exhibition? What were you most excited for?

This was actually my first solo exhibition. Before this, I had always shown my work alongside others. So, “Harmon-i” is very special to me—not just because it’s my solo debut, but also because I had the freedom to explore a wide range of mediums. I combined art and technology, incorporating sculptures, drawings, videos, and, of course, paintings.

In what ways did graduating from PCA contribute to your success as an artist? Are there specific skills or lessons that continue to guide you?

PCA was very important to my journey as an artist. Besides the community, and all the things I learned about technology and art, I think I learned a lot about research as well. I already knew a lot about technique, but PCA gave me a chance to learn about research and how to actually write a paper effectively. My teachers really pushed me to learn about the theoretical aspect of art. It was very hard, but so worth it in the end. This gave me the tools to approach this question of ”Why do people make art?”

What advice would you give to current or prospective PCA students who are looking to follow a similar path in the art world?

What I would say is never say no. For instance, I got called to do this exhibition at a very short notice, and I was not in Paris until a few days before it was meant to be set up. I didn’t know if I could do it, it was crazy, but I said yes anyway. Put in the work, invest in your art and never say no, even if it’s a lot of effort, grab the opportunities you can. Also, get out of your own bubble. If you are a fashion designer, work with musicians, work with painters, for instance. That will change your perspective of what you do on your own field.

What are you up to now and what’s next for you?

I’m actually working on a very large series of 20 large scale oil paintings, based on the poetry of T.S Eliot. Oil paintings, large scale. I started over a year ago and I’m halfway through it.

Follow Jérémie’s work here.

Interview and photos by Marco Galluci, MA Film & Photography student.