Etsy Shop : https://www.etsy.com/shop/Kalliartist
Instagram account : https://instagram.com/kalliartist
“Wander Space” Shop : https://wanderspace.bigcartel.com/
“Wander Space” Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/wanderspace_shop/
Email : wanderspaceshop@gmail.com
Telephone : +33 6-46-23-35-40
Kallisté Le Lan lives in Marignane in the Bouches-du-Rhône [France]. She is a multidisciplinary painter. In life, her passions are the visual arts, the karate and the music. More particularly, she also practices singing and violin at the Marignane conservatory. Impressive…
She draws inspiration from the world around her, transforming the blank canvas into an array of captivating colours and shapes.
She doesn’t just paint on canvas. She also explores the digital world since she created… a 2D video game ! You read well…
But she doesn’t stop there ! Indeed, her art is not limited to walls and screens, as she has created a line of unique clothing. Offering to everyone the opportunity to wear her cosmic creations.
Meeting with an artist… from elsewhere.
OJL : Hello Kallisté
Kallisté : Hello.
OJL : Four quick questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
As you live in Marignane, can you tell us what your favourite coffee is there ? And what do you like to take there ?
Kallisté : I admit that I haven’t been around the cafes here… But more in Aix-en-Provence near the universities. I love the “coconut tapioca bubble tea milkshake size L”. It’s very precise (laughs) but it’s so good.
OJL : And what is your favourite park or place ?
Kallisté : It is the edge of the protected Marignane canal, a very calm and wild place. You can see pink flamingos, swans and many other animals there. The paths that lead to Châteauneuf are super nice.
OJL : Next, what was the last book you read? And the last song you listened to?
Kallisté :_Regarding to the book: “The handmaid’s tale” by Margaret Atwood. As a fan of the series, I wanted to read the book from which it is based.
_Regarding to the song: It’s “Hell Frozen Rain” by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn composed by Akira Yamaoka. For the video game “Silent Hill – Shattered Memories”.
OJL : Finally, do you have a quote and/or proverb that you like ?
Kallisté : “Assume that you will survive, that you will always survive. Imagine that you survived. Shut the Door and Think” by the Second Doctor in the BBC series “Doctor Who”.
When I first heard this quote, it had a huge impact on me… And I admit that in everyday trials… It helps me move forward.
OJL : Let’s talk a little about you now. How could you introduce yourself ?
Kallisté : My name is Kallisté Le Lan and I am 23 years old. From creating a video game to painting, I have tried a lot and I enjoy varying the methods. I’m a bit like the Swiss army knife of manual arts (laughs). A jack of all trades.
I always knew that I would be in the visual arts and I was lucky to be in a high school in which in “Literary” we could take the specialty “Plastic Arts” as an option. Besides, it’s thanks to art that I got my baccalaureate (laughs). Then I followed up with two years of a plastic arts degree in Aix-en-Provence. Then a year in applied art school. But I didn’t really like having my imagination… oppressed. Indeed, drawing reality is not my primary passion.
In 2022, I created the brand “Wander Space”. A clothing brand based on my work.
Then I took a year off to make progress on my video game, my book and my universe… As well as on my other passions and interests (laughs).
I was also able to give lessons at the Henri Wallon college in Marseille on Saturdays, thanks to the “L’école de la culture” association. I give drawing and art history lessons. My students were able to free themselves more and more in the subjects as the year progressed. Seeing them express themselves is enough for my happiness. I can’t wait to see them again in September. And to return to college to become a visual arts teacher and be with young people and not just two hours a week.
OJL : I think many of us would have wanted a teacher like you… Who are the artists who shaped you ? Who struck you down ? In a few names and why.
Kallisté : The first two were Dali with his work “Metamorphosis of Narcissus” and Bruegel who I discovered in one of my grandparents’ art books. I loved the strangeness that emanated from their works.
Then I had a revelation when I discovered Zdzisław Beksiński in the ALT 236 YouTube video in 2021. It was so powerful and gripping for me. Then I discovered Peter Mohrbacher and his creations. Which had the effect of giving my work a clearer direction.
OJL : Do you have a pseudonym or is it your real first name ?
Kallisté : Indeed, I am often asked if my first name is a nickname (laughs). But no ! It is indeed my birth name. He is of Greek origin.
OJL: Let’s talk a little about your work now. What are you creating ?
Kallisté : Mainly painting, but I appreciate three-dimensional and digital. At the moment, I enjoy doing embroidery and making the frames for my paintings myself. I have always loved DIY and have a lot of fun doing it.
OJL : How can you define your style ?
Kallisté : That’s a difficult question… I can’t follow a style because I often do what comes to mind. But I will say that in general I am more in the “fantastic” genre. I always try to add weirdness to what I do.
OJL : What techniques do you use ?
Kallisté : Mainly acrylic… But sometimes collages… And other times, digital (laughs).
OJL : Can you tell us a little about your clothing brand ?
Kallisté : My clothing brand is called “Wander Space”. It was created in 2021. Its name means “wandering in space”. The concept is that of a tourist spaceship that takes us on a journey through unknown worlds.
The message could be summarized as follows: “Do you dream of flying into the stars ? To discover new planets and experience intergalactic adventures ? Then our collection of space-themed clothing is made for you ! « .
The garment gives me great creative freedom, so I chose to use my illustrations for the prints. Both my plastic and digital works.
I have several ideas for the future of my brand. For the moment it’s “Top Secret” but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that these ideas come to life (wink).
OJL : What is your favourite creation among your clothes ?
Kallisté : This is the hoodie called “Κοίτα”. There are patterns on the front, back, on the sleeves and on the collar. The result is really nice, in an atmosphere which, I hope, you will also like.
OJL : Can you tell us a little about your video game ?
Kallisté : I wrote a story in 2015. I started developing a video game based on this story in 2019.
The game is in 2D. Its theme is psychological horror.
It talks about the impact we have on others and vice versa. And how this builds our moral evolution. It’s a choice game. And these choices really impact the “destiny” of the player.
Like Toby Fox, the creator of “Undertale”, I try to do everything from A to Z alone. But, as you can imagine, it’s a very heavy burden… Moreover, each year my perspective evolves… Which lengthens the development time… But there are already more than two and a half hours playable ! Which makes me very proud and makes me want to continue (big smile).
OJL : Can we place you a personalized order ?
Kallisté : Absolutely! And it would be with great pleasure ! Feel free to contact me by email at wanderspaceshop@gmail.com
Or on the Etsy : https://www.etsy.com/fr/listing/1486615850/commande-commission-peinture-acrylique
But the simplest thing is the e-mail because I check it regularly.
OJL : Can we subscribe to your newsletter ?
Kallisté : Not at the moment, but in the meantime you can check my Instagram to see my latest news.
OJL : Do you have an anecdote about the creation of one of your products ? Or one of your sales ?
Kallisté : Recently I posted some work that was really different from what I had done before… And someone asked me to prove that it wasn’t an AI (artificial intelligence) that had done it… I had to send him a photo of the layers of my work to calm him down…
It bothered me so much that I didn’t post anything for several months… But now it’s better (wink).
OJL : Last question. You definitely have friends who are doing amazing things ! If you want to promote them a little, now is the time !
Kallisté : Indeed, I would like to name :
_My great aunt, thanks to whom I was able to start painting around the age of four. Here is one of her paintings :
_Solange ROSSI, contemporary Corsican artist. She painted landscapes, portraits and scenes. If you went to Corsica and bought souvenirs : you are probably wearing or have seen one of her illustrations.
I wanted to quote her because she was never able to see my graphic evolution because she died in 2019… And it was important for me to talk about her. Because without her, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today…
_ My great cousin who creates jewelry with the language of flowers in Clermont Ferrand. Her name is Elsa. She created her brand of handmade jewellery called “l’atelier de Jeh’”. I invite you to discover the atypical universe of its brand. It offers original jewellery and accessories in epoxy resin and dried flowers (flowers that never fade). Here is her Instagram: https://instagram.com/atelierdejeh and her store: https://atelierdejeh.fr/
OJL : Bravo for what you do. May Our Lady protects you.
Kallisté : Thank you.
Alpha Centauri
