Selected by Flavien Guilbaud

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Flavien Guilbaud. I’m French and have been living in the Netherlands for the past six years. I’ve worked as a creative director and designer for over a decade, starting out in Paris before moving to Amsterdam. I co-founded two design studios here, Antinomy Studio and 27b, one next to Bisou and the other close by.

We’ve worked across many industries: fashion, entertainment, tech, and more. Recently, that’s included projects for the new era of i-D Magazine, with a redesigned main website and contextual microsites; campaigns for NEON Rated on films like Sentimental Value, Together, and No Other Choice; as well as large-scale collaborations with brands like Metamask and Adyen. On the same note, we’re behind the new Bisou Gallery website.

Outside of work, I’m a foodie, especially when it comes to ramen, which led me to launch my own project, Kokoro Amsterdam. I’m also a massive fan of black metal, bold colors, twisted art, and illustrations that challenge or provoke. These days, I spend more time discussing what doesn’t move me than what does, but that’s cool.

You’ve selected three works from Bisou, what drew you to each?

Pascal Duval, 'You are my Sunshine'

I’ve always had a strange relationship with art that involves faces. I only realized a few years ago that I’m fascinated by both the simplest and the most complex representations of them. Half of my tattoos are faces or expressions. I don’t really know why, i guess it’s something primitive. Long story short, that’s probably why I connect so much with this piece.

I’ve admired Pascal’s work since I first discovered it. I love his rough textures, very Basquiat-inspired, but with his own way of blending colors and his sense of abstraction. With this piece, he really went hard. The pastel work feels so alive, it hit me instantly when I first saw it. Since then, it’s been by far my favorite piece of his and I’m proud to own his second work inspired by it.

Jim Mooijekind, 'The Work'

Another piece with big eyes. Jim’s characters always strike me, strange and unsettling, yet somehow cute and inviting. That tension is what makes them so good. This one stands out. The green is electric. The dark figure against the empty space feels calm and balanced. And then that burst of color in the center, it seals it. For me, this is his masterpiece.

Jim Mooijekind, 'Keys'

Do I even need to explain why I love this one too? It’s just punk and fucked up!

Would you display these together, or would they live in different spaces?

Definitely together. The vibe feels very similar, even if they look different visually. Most of these pieces stare right into you, making the experience intense, whether they resonate with you or not.

The space will play a huge role. It either needs to be large enough to let you get lost in what I represent, or the complete opposite: claustrophobic and messy, amplifying the intensity.