Meet seny meftah | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with seny meftah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi seny, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is essential in life because it allows you to explore new avenues, to question yourself, to renew yourself. It means putting yourself at risk and if you don’t you won’t be able to discover what you’re capable of. Without taking risks we stagnate. On a personal level, the first major risk I took was the decision to set up my first independent exhibition in Paris where I live.
It took time energy courage and considerable financial investment.
I went through moments of doubt and research, but it also enabled me to unveil my art for the first time to meet new people to have my work criticized and to move forward in my career.
Then I also decided to stop my studies at one of the most prestigious art schools to devote myself to my career. A decision that enabled me to devote myself full-time to creation and have the chance to exhibit my art around the world (Miami, London, New York and especially Atlanta).
As a young artist quitting school was really a huge risk. You have to deal with uncertainty doubt and questioning as well as with the outside world opinion but it’s what enabled me to evolve and progress.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been fascinated by multiple art forms (music, fashion, drawing, film…) and I’m constantly on the lookout for new sources of inspiration. I regularly go to exhibitions, museums and festivals, which not only enrich my culture but also give me the opportunity to think differently and draw inspiration from what I see.

Since my first exhibitions I’ve also been lucky enough to travel. An habit I hope to perpetuate. Travelling brings you into contact with other cultures other landscapes other encounters.

As an artist I think it’s vital to keep an open mind and be alert to the world around us.

It’s also very important to seize the opportunities we’re given and get out of our comfort zone to experiment new things as I did on my last trip to Miami where I painted a mural for the first time in the famous Wynwood district. Despite several setbacks associated with this project such as the loss of my equipment in Cuba the experience taught me to bounce back quickly from unexpected situations.

‘m taking my first steps in this world I don’t yet know completely and there’s still a long way to go. I’ve been lucky enough to take part in some great projects and to be able to exhibit my work so I’m already very happy about that and I hope it’s just the start of an even greater adventure.

But I think the key as in all fields is a combination of hard work motivation and desire.

The most important thing is not to let yourself be overwhelmed. You have to trust yourself believe in yourself, try, make mistakes but always start again. Success isn’t an end in itself what’s important to me is to express myself through my work and if that touches people I’m very happy.

To me the most important lesson is to take pleasure in what you do. I’m lucky to be able to touch people through my creations and this is possible because I’m always honest in my work.

You can’t disguise yourself and you have to always remember where you come from. I’m grateful to the people who believed in me from the start who reached out to me and encouraged me to do what I loved.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is a great city with lots of cool places to see, like museums galleries bars etc…. But for me one of the best places is Piedmont park for a stroll along the lake.
All this greenery in the middle of a big city like Atlanta is just amazing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Many people have helped me get to where I am, and I’d like to say a few words to them. Thanks to my parents for supporting me from the start, my sisters for accompanying me in all my projects, my girlfriend and my friends for encouraging me. Thank you to Hervé, the first gallerist who allowed me to exhibit my work, my agent Olivier and the members of NextstreetGallery for their trust and involvement, and to all the artists and journalists I’ve met who have taken the trouble to give me some of their time to chat.
Thank you to all those who come to every exhibition, enabling me to make a living from my passion.

Website: www.artseny.com

Instagram: seny_mfth

Linkedin: Seny Meftah

Image Credits
pic “William” : charlotte Lannou pics “Ali”, “issa et djibril” et “boulevard Haussman” : emmanuel aguirre pic “detail”, “mural high line” : seny pic “internship” International school atlanta pic mural wynwood : Jam