Website : https://altheamarchand.wordpress.com/
Etsy Shop : https://www.etsy.com/shop/hyriuualthea/
Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/hyriuu_art/
E-mail : altheahyriuu@gmail.com
Telephone : +336-84-45-38-63
Behind “Hyriuu” we find Althéa Marchand. She lives in Normandy [France]. She is an illustrator and a graphic designer. In life, her passions are history, stained glass and multidisciplinary creation.
OJL : Hello Althéa.
Althéa : Hello.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter. As you live in Rouen, can you tell us what your favourite café is there ? And what do you like to take there ?
Althéa : I love bubbletea, it is certainly my favourite drink despite its sweetness. In one of the most famous street in Rouen, rue Jeanne d’Arc, we have a very good bubbleTea shop called “Bubblicious”!
OJL : And what is your favourite park or place ?
Althéa : There are some nice places. Especially when you appreciate old stones ! I love walking in the historic district: Place de la Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Rouen. Because I love the outpouring of people walking around and enjoying this setting. It is beautiful to see the people happy ! (smile).
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read ? And the last song you listened to ?
Althéa :_About the book : it is a work published by the “Society of Friends of Rouen Monuments”, called “911 – 1911: When Rouen celebrated the Norman Millennium”, which I took on for an artistic project …I leave the suspense on this subject !
_About the song, I appreciate the discography of the group ERA, which I was able to see in concert last year… So I advise you to listen to: “Ameno”!
OJL : Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like ?
Althéa : “Errare Humanum Est”. Because I am someone who is quite anxious about failure and error. This Latin quote allows me to put my fears and anxieties into perspective.
OJL : Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself ?
Althéa : Well, my stage name is “Hyriuu Althéa”. I like to describe myself as a Norman historical illustrator artist, because my roots are extremely important to me and my art. I share this artistic profession alongside work as a signage graphic designer, which I particularly enjoy. My days are punctuated by my work as a graphic designer during the day, and as an illustrator in the evening, where I take care of my Etsy store, my different platforms, and where I obviously create !
OJL : Who are the professionals who shaped you ? Who struck you down ? In a few names and why.
Althéa : Before talking about professionals, I would like to talk about my parents. They were the main source of my all-consuming passion for history and heritage. They raised me with respect for cultures and a love of history with a capital H.
From an illustrative point of view, the Art & Craft movement, represented by W. Morris and Aubrey Beardlsey, is an unfailing inspiration for me. I appreciate their very detailed, floral compositions, with medieval themes that are more than interesting to study.
Finally, my mentor in my work undoubtedly remains Victor Ambrus, a pioneer in illustration with educational and historical value, which is what I tend towards.
OJL : Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating ?
Althéa : I create a lot of things (laughs). The main basis of my work lies in historical illustration of a scientific nature. I hope that this work can bring a less strict and more educational dimension to future generations (who for the moment are less interested in history than before). It is in this context that I created a very important project for me : “Historical posters”. It’s an urban poster project, where I stick up posters bearing the image of important historical figures in the Rouen area.
At the same time, I create a lot of fantastic illustrations inspired by chivalry, Normandy, and fantastic creatures. This whole universe is available in the form of key rings / magnets / pins / decorations on my Etsy store !
OJL : How can you define your style ?
Althéa : It is a meticulous mix of textures, colours and details that I borrow from illuminations and codices of the time. From time to time I bring a certain fantasy to it that I have the secret to ! Well, I think so (laughs).
OJL : What techniques do you use ?
Althéa : My work is characterized by the use of digital technology in the service of handmade products ! In truth, I mix these two techniques, which are quite opposite, to create unique compositions ! This involves drawing on paper, creating textures by hand, then assembling the elements on the computer.
OJL : We heard about your passion for stained glass, can you tell us more about it ?
Althéa : In my opinion, stained glass is one of the most beautiful artistic mediums ! Its transparency and the textures that the different glasses bring can transport us to a truly fantastic world. For an anecdote, I wanted to become a stained glass artist. But unfortunately, I was not selected in a very renowned Parisian school in the field… 6 years after this failure, and with a more assertive artistic style, I decided to take back control of this youthful passion by introducing myself to this art in a self-taught way… As we speak, I am impatiently awaiting all the necessary materials to begin this new chapter of my practice !
OJL : Congratulations on this rebound ! And can we place you a personalized order ?
Althéa : My mailbox is open for orders, indeed !
OJL : Can we subscribe to your newsletter ? Because social networks are a bit saturated…
Althéa : At the moment, I only use social networks like Instagram and a lot of Tiktok. But, it is true that a newsletter could be interesting !
OJL : Do you have an anecdote about the creation of one of your products ? Or one of your sales ?
Althéa : I couldn’t answer this question without mentioning my “Historical Posters” project, which I have been carrying out body and soul for two years now. For the record, I got the idea for this project thanks to an event in Rouen. Indeed, every year at the end of May (since the end of covid), we celebrate “The Medievals of Joan of Arc”. This is an event celebrated over several days, against the backdrop of a chivalrous universe that fills the city ! (It’s truly incredible to experience, I assure you !). I have a fascination for Jehanne, her loyalty, her combativeness, and her imposed feminism against the men of the time. But her face, however beautiful it may be, deserved, in my opinion, to be accompanied by other characters who have left their mark on the city. Why not take advantage of these festivities to introduce other emblematic characters of the city of Rouen to the general public ? This is how the project was born, with many “headliners”: Rollo, William the Conqueror, Maupassant and so on… This project was able to receive all its support during local markets where I sell cards Postal messages derived from posters. It’s very nice to see people become attached to one character more than another ! And to be able to tchat with local traders… But also with very interesting people… Like Stéphane Bern, or Luc Arbogast…
OJL : Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things ! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time !Althéa : I can think of lots of people, allow me to submit them to you !
_First, with five artists, we created an incredible collective which has already made it possible to create an exhibition during the 2023 armada ! They are Myriam Davoust (https://www.instagram.com/Mymdessine/ ), Ignac Trochet (https://www.instagram.com/sasurot_illustrateur ), John and Jimmy Desplanques (https://www.instagram.com/glow_brothers_/ ).
_Next, I want to highlight Lau Rose. She’s a digital artist that I’ve known for a long time and that I particularly appreciate ! Here is her account on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lau_fking_rose
OJL : Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Althéa : Thank you.
Alpha Centauri
