Statement about the process

The creation of my portraits is an intimate process, one that reflects both the personal and the historical. Each portrait is rendered using a technique that incorporates my own fingerprints, adding a tactile, human element to the piece. This method, which employs graphite dusting—often used by forensic scientists to lift fingerprints—gives my work a depth of meaning beyond traditional portraiture.

One of the key inspirations for this approach comes from the story of La Bande à Bonnot, a French radical group from the early 20th century. In 1911, Octave Garnier, a founding member of the group, sent a mocking letter covered with his fingerprints to the French police, knowing their inability to trace his identity. This defiant gesture, embracing the power of new technology, serves as the departure point for my work. Just as Garnier’s fingerprints were a mark of identity, each of my portraits is a reflection of both my hand and the subject’s story—captured in the minutiae of my fingerprints, which are intimately tied to the process of creation.

In this exhibition, each portrait is more than just a likeness—it is a personal imprint, made by hand, that resonates with both historical reference and contemporary relevance. By incorporating my fingerprints into the drawing itself, I invite viewers to explore the intersection of personal identity, memory, and artistic expression.