Colors of Memory: Inside the World of Sebastien Pridmore

French-Swiss artist Sebastien Pridmore lives and works in California, where he explores the intersection between art, nature and cultural heritage. Known for his use of natural pigments, he bridges ancient techniques with new technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation.

His painting L’Hermione pays tribute to the legendary French frigate that once embodied freedom and Franco-American friendship. Created for the charity auction held at the Berkeley Yacht Club in May to support the ship’s restoration, the piece captures both the spirit of adventure and the enduring dialogue between nations. The artwork was also featured on the flyer for the Francophone Poetry Contest, where it resonated deeply with participants. Inspired by this symbol of courage and connection, hundreds of poets around the world wrote verses celebrating the same ideals that fuel Sebastien’s work: heritage, exploration and hope.

We met with Sebastien to talk about his artistic journey, his passion for natural pigments and his connection with Culture Without Border.

How did you become an artist?

Sebastient : " I grew up surrounded by art and nature, with a family of scientists, which undoubtedly influenced my way of making art, a bit like a researcher. Very early on, I felt the need to express myself through drawing and painting. My path gradually took shape through studies, experimentation, and travel, always guided by the desire to tell stories through matter and color."

From this blend of curiosity and exploration emerged an approach that feels both intuitive and deeply reflective.

How would you define your artistic approach today?

"My approach seeks to connect past and present. I explore ancestral techniques such as natural pigments while integrating contemporary tools like virtual reality and artificial intelligence. My work blends observation, ecological sensitivity and experimentation to create works that are both unique and immersive."

This dialogue between the ancient and the modern is at the heart of his practice: a constant search for harmony between the earth and the digital, the tangible and the virtual.

When did you first discover natural pigments?

Sebastien: " I discovered natural pigments very young and was fascinated by their origin, color, texture and history. These materials allow me to reconnect with ancient practices while experimenting with modern compositions...

The choice of natural pigments is both aesthetic and ethical. They offer a rich and subtle palette, with textures and reflections impossible to obtain otherwise. Philosophically, they connect me to the history of art, to the earth, and to the environment and I seek to create works that are sustainable and respectful of nature."

And how do you select your materials?

S: "I choose my materials according to the place, the medium and the message of the work. Natural pigments require patience and research (whether for the pigments themselves, the binders or the varnishes) but this constraint is also a freedom: it forces me to think and create symbolic bridges with my subjects, like painting a vineyard with soil from that very vineyard or a marble sculpture painted with marble."

While rooted in the material world, Pridmore also embraces the potential of new technologies.

"Poetry and image share a subtle language."

Sebastien Pridmore

What role do virtual reality and AI play in your work?

Sebastien: "VR and AI bring me a new dimension: they allow the creation of immersive and interactive experiences, projecting art through time and space. These tools don’t replace matter but rather complement my artistic language, offering a dialogue between the tangible and the digital."

When asked whether he sees his two creative approaches (material and digital) as opposed or complementary, Sebastien doesn’t hesitate :

“For me, they are complementary. Material art anchors my work in history and the sensory realm, while digital tools open new perspectives and experiences. Together, they create a coherent and rich language.”

This balance between tradition and innovation defines not only his artistic philosophy but also his cultural engagement. Beyond his studio, Sebastien actively contributes to dialogues that connect art, heritage, and community; for exemple, through his collaboration with Culture Without Border and the Poetry Contest.

As the sponsor of the 2025 edition, his involvement goes far beyond a title; it reflects a genuine connection between his work and the spirit of the competition.

“I accepted with pleasure because poetry shares many commonalities with visual art: rhythm, nuance, emotion. Sponsoring this contest allows me to support creativity, highlight young talents and build bridges between words and images.”

How do you see the relationship between image and word?

S: "Poetry and image share a subtle language. In my work, I strive to create compositions that tell a story or evoke an emotion, like a visual poem."

S.Pridmore - Bastille Day 2025

During Bastille Day, Pridmore also presented a VR exhibition that immersed the audience in his creative universe.

He continues, "For this event, I shared my artworks in VR so that the public could enter the universe I create. The idea was to make people feel art in a sensory and immersive way, engaging in a dialogue with both historical and artistic realities." Looking ahead, Sébastien continues to experiment with the boundaries between art, nature and technology.

What are you currently working on?

Sebastien: "I’m currently working on my series Wildlife Matters, where local animals disguise themselves as humans to question our relationship with nature. I also have an exhibition at the Alliance Française in San Francisco, featuring more than 30 of my paintings."

As our conversation draws to a close, Sebastien reflects on the future; not only of his own work but of art itself. When asked what his dream creation would look like, his answer bridges imagination and reality :

“I dream of a piece that would be both physical and immersive, where the public could move around, interact and feel the matter and the space. Ideally, it would be in a public or natural place, where everyone could experience art as something sensitive and collective.”

It’s a vision that perfectly encapsulates Sebastien Pridmore’s artistic philosophy... one that blends history, nature and innovation into shared experience. His art invites us not merely to observe, but to participate, to wander and to feel. Through his pigments and pixels, he continues to paint a bridge between past and future, where creation becomes not just something to see, but a world to enter.

To discover more about his work and upcoming projects, visit www.spridmore.ch.