Solène Kerlo
INTERVIEW
Artist
DATE: 10 ⁄ 05 ⁄ 2025
EVA & SOLÈNE
“To tap into my deepest creative flow, I require emptiness, be it solitude, silence or a clear schedule.”
PARIS
YOUR IDEAL WAY TO START YOUR DAY?
I love to wake up before sunrise and spend the entire morning immersed in reading, engaging in flow writing, and drawing—without any distractions or obligations to weigh me down.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL CREATIVELY MOST FULLFILLED?
I feel most creatively fulfilled when I’m alone in my studio, experimenting and playing with textures, whether sculpting clay or wax. To tap into my deepest creative flow, I require emptiness, be it solitude, silence or a clear schedule.
HOW DO YOU MOVE THROUGH MENTAL OR CREATIVE BLOCKS?
Through rest, boredom, and diversion. It can be challenging and even guilt-inducing to rest and step away from our hectic lives, especially to do nothing, but I’ve found it indispensable. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize when my mind naturally releases, and I now make it a point to embrace these moments regularly—whether lying in bed after waking, during short naps, or while driving.
I’ve also come to appreciate boredom more and more. Boredom creates mental space, allowing the mind to roam freely and form unexpected connections that ignite creativity. By stepping away from constant stimulation, we give our minds the opportunity to generate fresh ideas and deeper insights. Shifting focus to a different field or medium can also be incredibly effective.
WHAT DOES GROWTHMEAN TO YOU?
For me, growth is about expanding into your true self—beyond the expectations or limitations imposed by others. It's about recognizing your conditioning so that you can release it and create your own set of rules.
Growth, for me, is discovering your unique path and having the courage to fully embrace it.
WHAT RESOURCES, TOOLS AND PRACTISES WORK FOR YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR GROWTH?
My first resources are my books — books on mythology, archaeology, psychology… They are an endless well of knowledge, and some have been so impactful, they’ve truly transformed my life. Then there are my notebooks and paper tools. Every day, I write, sketch, and map out my research and reflections in my notebook. I make lists and set weekly goals in a planner. This process helps me organize my projects, stay aligned with my long-term vision and switch fluidly between my creative and rational mind.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
Forgerons & Alchimistes by Mircea Eliade. It has been on my bedside table since I began my brass sculpture work. This is the kind of book I find myself revisiting frequently; it serves as a foundation for my explorations of myth and metal. Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton. To deepen my understanding of the unique dynamics of the contemporary art market.
“Growth, for me, is discovering your unique path and having the courage to fully embrace it...”
SOLÈNE KERLO
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I’m most proud of finally choosing to follow my intuition and take a leap of faith to become an artist, despite not having any creative role models around me or a background in art.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I’m currently working on my first solo exhibition, titled SALAR, which will open on May 24 at Galerie Porte B in Paris. Developed over the past three years between France and Chile, SALAR is rooted in the Atacama Desert, within the salt flats — remnants of a vanished ocean and matrix of unsuspected fertility. The project explores the memory of salt, origin myths, and the ecological fragilities linked to lithium extraction and soil exhaustion, through a performative ritual, a short film, and a series of visual works — paintings, sculptures, and installations.
One of its key pieces, ARKAE — a monumental brass monstrance — will also be exhibited on June 7 at the Chapelle Saint-Louis of Hôpital Tenon during Nuit Blanche 2025.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR CURRENT WORK?
Archaeological works exploring early myths, cave art sites such as the Chauvet cave in France, and prehistoric adornments from museum collections.
WHAT CHALLENGE(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY FACING?
Exploring uncharted territories is thrilling, but it also comes with its share of doubts, fears, and financial risks — especially as a solo artist.
HOW WILL YOU OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE(S)?
Being well-prepared keeps me grounded and confident, even during the most demanding periods. Surrounding myself with talented individuals —whether it's collaborating with skilled artisans, drawing on friends with complementary strengths, or seeking guidance from mentors who provide valuable perspectives — helps ensure the process stays on course. Lastly, I trust my instincts and embrace the belief that the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
“Exploring uncharted territories is thrilling, but it also comes with its share of doubts, fears, and financial risks — especially as a solo artist. ”
SOLÈNE KERLO
YOUR MORNING AND/OR NIGHTTIME RITUALS?
In the morning, after I wake up, I like to stretch and meditate before enjoying my first cup of coffee. I don’t have a specific evening ritual; I simply try to keep my phone out of the bedroom.
YOUR FAVOURITE WELLBEING / SELF-CARE PRODUCTS?
To spend long hours in the studio, I need to stay in good shape, as my painting and sculpting methods are physically demanding. That’s why I dedicate an hour each day to activities like yoga, boxing, cycling, and climbing. I keep my beauty routine straightforward—I don’t wear makeup or use many skincare products. Instead, I enjoy practicing face yoga or self-massage once a day, which helps to calm my mind.
Nutrition also plays a vital role in my well-being. Over time, I’ve become more attuned to my energy levels throughout the day, learning what to avoid and what to prioritize to enhance clarity, focus, and overall health. Sleep is essential; my golden rule is to get eight hours each night!
WHAT RELAXES YOU? HOW DO YOU CALM YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM?
Activities that stop my brain from overthinking such as listening to music, dancing, gathering with my friends. Laugh.
ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DAY/WEEK?
A one-hour daily walk.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE?
What excites me about the future is witnessing the many facets of SALAR unfold throughout 2025: One of the highlights will be the release of the short film next fall — a piece born from a meaningful collaboration with artists I invited to the desert, whose work I deeply admire. I'm also looking forward to starting a book that will gather three years of research and creation around desert mythology. Scheduled for early 2026, it will bring together texts, visual material, poetry, and digital content — a delicate extension of the project, echoing the first edition of my studio notebook published a few months ago. Above all, I’m inspired by the possibility that art and mythology can rekindle our bond with nature and give form to shared dreams in a time of profound change.
“I’m inspired by the possibility that art and mythology can rekindle our bond with nature and give form to shared dreams in a time of profound change.”
CONNECT WITH SOLÈNE:
@SOLENEKERLO ⁄ SOLENEKERLO.COM
next read
Laura Pavese
Body Pscyhologist & Founder of MTLP
previous read