A day in my life as an art student

Meet seven Parisian art students who spend their days studying, creating, and delighting in art. Let’s hear what they look for in a T-shirt and how they prefer to style them!

“I love Lotso from Toy Story. The design on the back looks like a nutrition facts label—I can’t help but read through it!”

Q. What is it like to live in Paris as an aspiring artist?

Paris is a dynamic city that attracts students from not only within France but from many other countries. I myself am from Taiwan, and I find it fun to exchange and share ideas with people from diverse backgrounds through the medium of art.

Q. Do you have a favorite shop or a favorite artist?

I often go to Librairie Sans Titre, a bookshop along the Canal Saint-Martin that has a great selection of books on art and photography. My favorite artist is Kapwani Kiwanga from Canada!

Q. How do Parisians tend to wear their T-shirts?

I think it is very Parisian to choose and style T-shirts in a way that feels comfortable. I chose this T-shirt because I love Lotso from Toy Story. The back looks like a nutrition facts label. It’s so cool—I can’t help but read through it!

“I really like the cool punk vibe. It’s a shame that I can’t see the back while I’m wearing it!”

Q. What is art?

That’s a question that I’ve been pondering for a long time. I’ve been looking for an answer every day in the seven years that I’ve been studying art, but I still haven’t found it. Maybe art is something that reflects life?

Q. What is your favorite artistic style?

I’m fascinated by Thomas Demand, a German sculptor and photographer. He doesn’t just take photos; he creates detailed physical constructions that he then photographs.

Q. What do you think of life in Paris?

I’ve lived in Paris since I was born, but I still feel that it is a wonderful place. There are plenty of exhibitions to visit, and I can meet lots of people in the art scene. My favorite spot is Artazart, a bookshop with a bright red exterior along the Canal Saint-Martin.

Q. What do you think of your T-shirt?

The whole design exudes a cool punk vibe! It’s a shame that I can’t see the back while I’m wearing it.

“I like the mix of screen-printing and stenciling. It feels like a poster made by a graphic designer!”

Q. Do you have a favorite artist?

I study bandes dessinées (French-language comics) at school, so I admire the French cartoonist Nicolas de Crécy and the Japanese manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto.

Q.Where in Paris would you recommend visiting?

The area around Boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement. It’s where I grew up, and I hope everyone comes to visit!

Q. Why did you choose this particular T-shirt?

It has a beautiful mix of screen-printing and stenciling. It feels like a poster made by a graphic designer! It was actually M/M (Paris) that made it, though.

Q. What kinds of T-shirts do you see on the streets of Paris?

I think Parisians prefer monochromatic T-shirts with fairly simple prints. Rather than new shirts, we wear secondhand, vintage, and hand-me-downs from our parents or friends. A lot of people wear shirts that are as oversized and overlong as possible.

“I like tiny motifs on a white background. I tend to wear T-shirts on the tight side with a belt.”

Q. Where does your creative inspiration come from?

I am always painting, and I naturally take inspiration from the free-spiritedness of Paris. The quiet Ménilmontant neighborhood, with its trendy, old-fashioned bars, is a particularly cozy and relaxing area.

Q. What do you think art should be?

In a word, freedom! Art is what allows everyone to be free to express themselves however they want.

Q. How do you like to wear your T-shirts?

I like simple white T-shirts with small graphics, like the one I’m wearing today, and I prefer shirts that are on the tight side. I see a lot of different styles in Paris, but I prefer to tuck in my T-shirt and pair it with a belt.

“This is a cool combination of a small traditional pattern and modern graphics. I love it!”

Q. What do you like to do in Paris?

This city is home to many different people and cultures and has a long, deep history, so of course I love to immerse myself in the art scene! I also enjoy exploring Paris by electric scooter. There was a resolution the other day to ban rental e-scooters, which is such a shame! It’s nice to feel the wind as I ride around the suburbs of Saint-Denis and Montreuil.

Q. Which artists do you look up to?
Bill Viola, the prominent video artist, and Lewis Carroll, the 19th-century English writer known for Alice in Wonderland and other works.

Q. Do you like Monsters, Inc.?

I do! I’m involved in a variety of creative activities, including photography, painting, videos, and installations. Some of my works feature monsters and dinosaurs made out of glass. Monsters are an important motif in my art.

Q. How do people in Paris tend to wear T-shirts nowadays?

Loosely! I gravitate toward oversized shirts.

“This is a cool combination of a small traditional pattern and modern graphics. I love it!”

Q. What inspires you to create?

The artists I admire—people like Paula Scher, the American graphic designer, and Georges Rousse, the French photographer, painter, and installation artist. Then there is my sister, who is also an art student. We grew up together, so she is a great motivation and inspiration for my art.

Q. What is something you like about Paris?

The interesting thing about Paris is that people’s vibes are totally different from district to district. I especially like the 18th arrondissement, where I live, because the Canal Saint-Martin runs through it, and it feels like a small, intimate village.

Q. How do you approach your art?

My current work involves creating collages and editing videos and photos. I hope to convey the emotions that I’ve felt here in Paris through my art, as well as things that I want to show or tell.

Q. Why did you choose this kabuki T-shirt?

For one thing, I like the graphic with the blue lines. I was drawn to the use of vivid colors like purple and crimson on a black background. The combination of a small traditional pattern and modern graphics is also very cool. When I wear T-shirts with unique designs like this one, I prefer a simple outfit.

“This design is intriguing because it looks like an abstract depiction of ribs done with finger painting. It’s given me a newfound respect for traditional Japanese arts!”

Q. What kind of art are you creating now?

I’m majoring in cinema, so I mostly shoot films. Growing up, my mother showed me a lot of movies. One of my favorites is Amélie (also known as The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain). To me, art—such as film—is a way to communicate and express emotions that come from myself and events in my life.

Q. Are you interested in anything from Japanese culture?

Of course! I often listen to music by singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata.

Q. What’s a good area of Paris to take a break in?

Montmartre. I like gazing across Paris from the top of Montmartre and thinking about how tiny our lives are.

Q. What do you think of this kabuki T-shirt?

The soft lines look like finger painting, and the abstract design looks like skeletal ribs. It’s innovative and intriguing, and it’s cool to hear that it’s a motif from a traditional Japanese art form. I went for an oversized fit, with room between my body and the T-shirt.

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協力：松竹
©M/M (Paris)
©Disney/Pixar