Can you tell us how your business was born and how you decided to become an artist?
I just created INK!, my online art gallery, to display and sell my Chinese ink artworks. (Address: ink-by-karinezibaut.com)
I worked in the Luxury Division of L’Oréal for 10 years. Then, in 2002, I chose to devote myself entirely to creation. It was my calling. I was lucky enough to have my work picked up and displayed in really good galleries quite quickly. I can never thank these people enough. They enabled me to grow into my art. Since 2007, my work has been regularly exhibited in France and abroad.
When I started working with Chinese ink, a brand-new world appeared before my eyes in my creative universe. It emerged so quickly that I needed a dedicated space for this little planet to flourish. INK! was thus born quite naturally.
Art is a world apart from the others and it’s just starting its digital revolution. For artists, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reach a wider audience in a more professional setting. The “physical” gallery and the online gallery complement one another. Social media are also a great way to share your work.
What are the first conclusions you can draw from this artistic & entrepreneurial adventure?
The online gallery opened on December 1st, 2016 so it’s a little early to draw any conclusions yet. The first few days were intense and very moving. The website seems to be fulfilling its double-edged mission. It preserves the poetry of the artwork while being very easy to use. Being able to get a glimpse into the artist’s studio through the videos and interviews is also very much appreciated.
At any point in time, were you able to take advantage of the EDHEC’s alumni network?
This is what I am doing today by opening the door of the alumni’s network. It feels like a homecoming after a long journey.
What piece of advice would you give to new entrepreneurs et to people who wish to embrace an artistic career?
You have to be really passionate about it and not see yourself being able to do anything else! Contrary to popular belief, this kind of career demands a total investment of the self and a lot of work. In parallel, you have to market your art. So there are periods of time when you need to be open towards the outside world in order to promote your work and other moments when you can devote yourself to the practice of your art. It is of the utmost importance to surround yourself with skilled and benevolent people. Artists don’t sell a product, they are offering their own take on the world. Because of this, they are both stronger and more fragile. That being said, doing what you love best transcends difficulties. It is a source of great joy.
What are the next steps of your project?
The priority right now is to make the gallery known and to create a real network of partners around INK!
I’m also planning to do more exhibitions in 2017. These are extraordinary moments where I get to meet my audience as well as professionals. These moments demand to be experienced.
Do you have any expectations towards the EDHEC’s alumni network?
Creation is a solitary experience. Promoting my work and developing the gallery is the result of teamwork. I need to find some partners. I am convinced that the skills and the expertise of the people who make up the EDHEC community can bring something to the table. I am still in touch with a lot of alumni 25 years later. I also think that this community can help me reach a new audience – beyond my adoptive homeland, England, where I live, and France, where I regularly come back. Art knows no borders. I dream of meeting partners in Asia where the ink tradition is deeply rooted.
In France, I am one of Musa Décima’s artists (Go have a look at their website, Frédérique Ichac, the president, is a wonderful person). I combine my experience as a manager and my artistic skills to respond to an HR problematic.
I would like to develop this expertise even more (on the website you can see BLUE BRIDGE, a film I created for the SNCF).
After having two seemingly completely different careers, I came back to the business world equipped with new skills. Creating and tailoring art for a company is a compelling challenge.
This is what INK! symbolises.
- More information:
karine.zibaut@orange.fr / Galerie en ligne / www.karinezibaut.com
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
France +33(0) 6 16 19 60 62
UK + 44 777 046 18 85
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