Q&A with Mélanie Alpach

AVANTELIER : What inspired you to pursue a career in art and design?
Mélanie: ” Building my career in the artistic field felt like an obvious choice. This discipline offers such richness and diversity that I was naturally drawn to it. Art can take so many different forms that I see it as an infinite playground. I have been fortunate to express my art in various forms: urban design, culinary, fashion, graphic, packaging, publishing, cultural workshops… So many fields already explored, yet so many more to discover. “

AVANTELIER : Can you share a memorable experience from one of your workshops?
Mélanie: “I’ve had so many memorable experiences thanks to my work. What I love most is seeing the reactions and emotions of people participating in my workshops. Whether it’s those who fully invest themselves in their creation or those who discover a previously unsuspected creativity within themselves, it’s always very rewarding. Receiving compliments from participants for the work accomplished fills me with immense pride and great happiness, as it means I have awakened something powerful within them. “

AVANTELIER : What challenges have you faced in your journey as an independent artist?
Mélanie: ” As an independent artist, I’ve faced many fears and obstacles along the way. I started my freelance career very young, without going through major agencies or having a solid network of contacts to begin with. I built my career without a safety net, little by little. I always knew I wanted to be independent, and I established my status while I was still a student. At that time, I juggled school, my job in a company (as part of my master’s program), and my freelance missions. After graduating, I was able to build a portfolio with real work.
Being an independent artist also means learning a multitude of skills on your own: accounting, sales, communication, all while staying creative and keeping up with new technologies that can sometimes overshadow us. The life of a freelancer is a daily challenge, as many of us want to make a living from our art. But that is part of the game if one wishes to continue in this way of life.”

Mélanie Alpach: Exploring Diverse Artistic Techniques
Mélanie Alpach finds great reward in experimenting with various artistic techniques, both professionally and personally. Her proficiency in drawing, photography, screen printing, and linocut is evident in her personal creations and showcased in various gallery exhibitions. This engagement with diverse techniques highlights her versatility and artistic talent, extending her influence beyond professional endeavours into her personal explorations in the applied arts.

Mélanie Alpach: Balancing Multiple Roles in the Arts

Mélanie Alpach adeptly balances her roles as an illustrator, art director, and workshop creator. Her notable collaborations with esteemed cultural institutions and schools, including the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Louvre, the Musée des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet, and the Quai des Savoirs, reflect her commitment to raising awareness about artistic practices. Through these partnerships, she offers customised artistic workshops that captivate and educate participants, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the arts.

AVANTELIER : How do you integrate social and environmental themes into your artwork?
Mélanie: I always strive to bring diversity and inclusivity into all my work. Some of my projects aim to raise awareness about social and environmental causes, such as the #LESMAUXDETROP project I created in 2022 or the feminist collective WEAREIN I joined that same year. I integrate these values as much as possible into my work without necessarily proclaiming them, but by ensuring that everyone can identify with something and not feel excluded.

AVANTELIER : What motivates you to continue creating and teaching art?
Mélanie: “I have always had the desire to share something with as many people as possible. Art allows us to thrive, stimulate our curiosity, and awaken our senses. It is a true driving force that sustains me daily, and I am fortunate to experience it in both my personal and professional life.”

Mélanie Alpach’s work is a testament to her commitment to art and her ability to inspire and educate through her creative endeavors. Her journey from a young art enthusiast to a versatile and independent artist highlights her dedication, resilience, and passion. Mélanie’s efforts in integrating social and environmental themes into her work, along with her involvement in cultural workshops, reflect her broader vision of using art as a tool for positive change.

For those interested in exploring Mélanie’s work further, please visit her official website at melaniealpach.com or follow her on Instagram at @melaniealpach.