I absolutely love collage art; it was one of the first art genres I remember really getting into as a kid. I just loved the way collage artists could take divergent images and make them work together in the service of a message or a story. Hence, I was understandably excited to recently discover the amazing collages of French artist Julien Pacaud.
According to his website, “Julien Pacaud is an artist and illustrator, currently living in Le Mans, France. Before becoming an illustrator, he was, by turns : an astrophysician, an international snooker player, a hypnotist and an esperanto teacher. He hopes he can someday have enough free time to devote himself to his real passion : time travel.”
Now don’t know how much of that is true, and I’m sure deeper research may be required (as it turns out, none of it is). But real or imagined, his eccentric background might help to explain his surreal digital collages, which are somehow both retro and futuristic. He creates mesmerizing fictional spaces that welcome the viewer with a stirring clash of the strange and the familiar.
Trained in cinematography, Pacaud is heavily influenced by the enormous back catalogue of images from film and television, which he routinely raids for his own collage-style compositions. He concentrates particularly on retro visuals from the 1970s to the 1990s. His Magritte influences are obvious and a strong taste for the linear produces environments that playfully evoke the mythology of a not-too-distant future.
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s set the Way-Back Machine for straight into the future with the amazing collage art of Julien Pacaud!
Stephen Kelly Creative 
What an amazing collection of images! I can’t begin to guess what thought was going through Pacaud’s mind even with the simplest of them. But I guess it was an image going through his mind and not a thought. Yet there have been some artists you have shown us who clearly had a didactic or other thought going through their minds with some of their images, to make a point, you know. But with Pacaud, I can’t begin, as I said, to imagine.
Hi Victoria. Really glad you liked this amazing collection. Like you, I cannot hazard to guess what the thought processes here are. His work kind of reminds me of the album cover art of Storm Thorgerson that I featured in April. I really like the strong design elements in both men’s work, and their really clever juxtaposition of images. Like you said, there must be a thought going on in there somewhere.
Yes, I wonder what is in the head of an artist like this … can’t say I like the art – but still there is something intriguing about his art. A bit too wired for me … I need to think when I look at Julien’s pieces – and for me art are like entertainment – just to be thrilled and let float away with … not much thinking necessary. Thanks for sharing.
I see your point, viveka … his work can be challenging. i like the strong visuals and design element in his work, perhaps because of my background in graphic design. Still, as you say, intriguing.
This is my favourite among your featured artists so far … I can really identify 🙂 maybe cause he is French ;). Thank you, Stephen for a mind-blowing post and presentation!!!
sweet! that’s awesome, paula! really glad you connected with this work because i just love it! yes! mind-blowing!
😀 and I actually recognised the face of that French TV presenter and I only watch French news like twice a year :D. Thank you, Stephen for introducing me to great art 🙂
Excellent post! Thanks.
you’re welcome, patricia. thanks for dropping by!
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