Miniatures by Benjamin Affagard
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Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Harfleur (France) and grew up in Le Havre. I continued my studies on the French Riviera in Nice and now I currently live and work in Caen. I began the practice of graffiti art in the 2000s, attracted by the history of art. For nine years, I held a workshop for the framing of paintings, which helped me gain DIY skills to create any kind of unusual objects to satisfy customers.
How you get started making miniatures?
Actually I was always tinkering since childhood, but in reality, I started the project Street Storefront in 2011. This project aimed to create urban environment dioramas incorporating an original work of an artist from the graffiti scene. These “Street Vitrine” scenes are inspired by the work and the world of each graffiti artist.
At that time, I was a teacher of art and was passionate about the culture and practice of graffiti. I had the idea to create urban environment dioramas incorporating graffiti artists and friends. Thus, the “Street Vitrine” project was born.
What materials do you use in your miniature work?
Wood cardboard, chipboard, plastic, wood, paper, acrylic paint, potato net, plastic straws, and more. I use all waste materials that can be useful to me, that can allow my models to be both stylized and realistic.
Favorite building you’ve made?
It is located in the city of Le Havre in Normandy, called the Normandy Theater and is currently not in use. There was a group exhibition at the gallery Hamon in partnership with artist Jace. I really had fun doing this building because it represents so much nostalgia. I was particularly interested in the Urbex rendering. It was not without difficulty, because I had put approximately 150 hours of work into it. I’ve received much positive feedback about the result.
What do you love most about working in miniature?
What I like about the world of miniatures are the steps and techniques employed to achieve the final result. It’s crazy as you learn something new every day. Every project is different and each time we must find new solutions to successfully achieve the finished piece.
What inspires you?
Many things can inspire me. As soon as I walk into town, I look up. There’s so much architecture, and art in general… graffiti, life, love, friends, and kittens.
What are your other hobbies?
I would say photography, because I need a lot of photos in order to inspire me. As well as drawing, painting, graffiti, cooking, and all the good things in life…
What shows did you recently participate in?
There was an exhibition last spring, and in December 2016, I exhibited in a group exhibition on the theme of Parisian architecture.
Other exhibitions include:
- Personal exhibition “Street storefront”
Place Gallery of Arts, 14000 Caen, from 18 to 24 January 2013 - Personal exhibition “Street storefront”
Gallery Oh! 14000 Caen, from 1 to 7 March 2013 - Exhibition / public sale
Cornet sale house Saint Cyr, Brussels 27 May 2013 - Group exhibition “Summer Group Show”
Does he Speerstra Gallery Path cherry, 1183 Bursins, Switzerlandd u June 1, 2013 to July 19, 2013 - Personal exhibition “Street storefront”
CARTAGAG Gallery, 4 place Jean Letellier 14000 Caen, December 2014 - Collective exhibition Kaleidoscope “Optical Sweets for the Eyes”
the Speerstra Gallery Path cherry, 1183 Bursins, Switzerland on 15 November 2014 to 21 February 2015 - Group exhibition “M erry christmas lh”
Hamon Gallery, 44 Square City Hall, 76600 Le Havre 5 December 2015 January 6, 2016 - Group exhibition “French Connections”
L.J Speerstra Gallery and Gallery 12 Rue Commines, 75003 Paris from January 30 to Saturday, February 27, 2016
Benjamin Affagard of Street Vitrine lives and works in Caen, France. To see more of his miniature work and graffiti-inspired art, head on over to Tumblr, or follow along on Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit his COME graffiti artist profile.
