I’m proud to bring you an interview with illustrator Emmanuel Kerner, totally dandy, living for music and seafood - you guessed it, he’s the original frenchman!
Born in Paris in 1969, illustrator for The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune or The Wall Street Journal, he also works for local newspaper like Le Monde or Libération.
But when the night comes, you may see him behind the turntables, playing the best records in black music.

You currently reside in Rouen. How long have you been there, and what are some of your favorite things about this city?
I came here three years ago and i love the middle ages architecure of my area which is inspiring ! I love to go to the market every sunday morning to by sea snails, crabs and good cheese particularly Neufchâtel !

When did you first become interested in illustration?
I really don't know, i just remember that i decided to make a living of drawing when i was ten ...

How did you like art school?
I loved being a student in art schools ! It change my life whe i was 15 and i was doing what i wanted for the first time in my life !

What type of opportunities were you expecting after school and what ended up being the reality?
I wasn’t expecting anything, i knew that i’ll have to find work all by myself and i knew the huge difference between schools and the real world wich wasn’t the case of most of my friends who had big expectations, fantasys…

What was your first illustration job?
I started working in an ugly magazine for kids where i was doing ugly drawings called Paprika ! But it allowed me to eat and to continue showing my work to other potential clients…

And your first exhibition?
It was in place called « la Ferme du Buisson »…

Who or what inspires you? Any mentor?
A lot of different artists, some of them very far from what i’m doing.
People like Emmanuel Pierre, Steinberg, François Avril, Henrik Dresher, Tim Biskup, Camille Rose Garcia, and so many more ! ! !…

What do you find highly inspiring to you these days?
Old graphic design from the 50’s !

What is a typical day for you like?
I don’t have a typical day, every day is different when you are an illustrator, no rules…

What are the main differences between working for a client (magazine, ad, etc )and a personal project (exhibition, book)?
Freedom…

What current projects are you working on?
I’m working on two different exhibitions, here in october at La Rose des Vents and in Hamburg in february with Fabrice Houdry and Carolin Loebbert…

How do you know when a project or illustration is finished? When do you know it’s time to drop the pencil?
It’s a question of balance between the different elements of the drawing like colors, lines, black and white masses… It’s hard to define !

In addition to drawing, you also teach at Parsons School, Atelier de Sèvres and Corvisart School. How do you feel teaching has impacted your own work?
Teaching allows me to stay fresh, woking surrounded by young mtivated people challenge myself to stay on the race !
Some of my studends are so gifted, more then i was at the same age ! ! !

What would the most ultimate job or project be for you with unlimited budget?
Maybe going back to painting, making a serie of big pieces of art but it wouldn’t be a question of money but a question of time…

If you could recommend 3 books to the Concrete Hermit readers, what would they be?
Olle Eksell a swedish graphic designer published by PIE Books, any books by Henrick Dresher, Jim Flora, Emmanuel Pierre, François Avril… Oh ! ! ! It’s more than 3 books ! Sorry !…

Is there any meal that absolutely terrifies you?
Melon ! ! !

Now let’s leave the artist with his fruit phobia, and watch a little video showing a silkscreen book Emmanuel did for Eugène & Pauline, with a CD by Doctor Noodle:


FURTHER
Emmanuel Kerner’s portfolio
Emmanuel Kerner’s blog
Eugène & Pauline
Neufchâtel