Interview
Who is BGW (Benoit Caron)
‘Who is BGW’ is a French artist living in Switzerland, and who paints mainly with acrylics and a knife.
Leading a successful career in the finance industry with individual and life ambitions, art hadn't always been a part of BGW's life. Things suddenly changed after a sporting accident left him with a physical disability. Going through the difficult rehabilitation period, BGW faced a great challenge of figuring out the path forward for his life. ‘At the beginning, it was hard to accept that I could not be as active as I was in the past,’ he expresses.
One of the revelations that struck BGW was that in spite of the challenges brought on by his new reality, he actually received one ‘gift’ which he did not have before: time! Before his accident, he had never had enough time. But now he began to read, learn, discover; and with that grew an interest in art and the emotions around it.
BGW's art practice is focused on expressive painting. It is the need to express a feeling, an emotion that drives him to start working on a piece. He first chooses the colors that represent his idea; a step that is both important and complex. After that, he selects the support—plexiglass or canvas—and starts drawing the image built in his mind. He then begins to paint.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My real name is Benoit Caron, and I am a French guy living in Switzerland. I have no background in art. Before 2008, I didn’t know how to draw or paint, and my interest in art was close to nil. I was a trader in the financial markets and had a great life, up until 2008 when I had a wrestling accident and broke my neck. I was paralysed and saw my whole life collapse. Over the past 10 years, I have worked hard to improve my mobility and my independence.
The silver lining of my accident was the gift of time. Now I have time to think, time to learn, time to discover. In 2018, I suddenly decided to buy a canvas, some acrylic paints and 2 knives. That was the first time I ever painted and it was a real pleasure, a freedom to express my feelings. Since then, I have won some art contests and exhibited in Art Basel Miami, in New York, Barcelona and Zurich. For me, it sounds crazy for a guy who didn’t know anything about art before.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My art is essentially about emotions, feelings, and sometimes about politics - but everything is around women. I love to transmit emotions across my artwork, to let people create their own story, to see them take pleasure in viewing my art.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“I don’t have any idea about current art trends because I am a total novice in this world. I have not been influenced in my techniques or way of painting”
“I couldn't continue my past life; I had to invent a new one. The need to express emotions and feelings through painting was growing, though I couldn’t really explain why. Without any knowledge of drawing or painting, I started just for my pleasure. And now, painting is becoming a big part of my life.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Everything begins with a photo, a movie or something in my life. I see a facial expression, an atmosphere and suddenly, I imagine it on a canvas and I need to paint it. First I draw it and then try to choose the best colours to express my feelings.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“I essentially use acrylic on canvas, with knives. But sometimes, I paint on plexiglass for a bit of a change.”
What does your art mean to you?
“For me, painting is freedom, pleasure and feelings. The transmission of emotions through curves and colors.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork of mine is ‘The Spanish Girl in Montreux’. (The blue painting above of the female dancer.) It reminds me of a woman I know who lives in Montreux, and how I see her. The curves, the colors and the position of the body show the freedom, happiness and peaceful. I have painted as I see her in life.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“The main exhibitions I’ve been part of are Art Basel Miami and the exhibition in the Oculus Center in New York. These events have helped me show my artworks to thousands of people. Soon after, galleries quickly began to contact me.”
Website: www.whoisbgw.com
Instagram: @whoisbgw
