PROFILES

Pierre et Gilles are celebrating 40 years of creating and living together. After Brussels, Gilles's home town of Le Havre now devotes a big retrospective* to them, to be followed by a Paris tribute in 2018.

They form one of contemporary art's emblematic couples. Pierre and Gilles met in September 1976 at the inauguration of the first Kenzo shop in Paris, on Place des Victoires. The two young men spotted each other, liked what they saw, left on the same scooter... and have been together ever since. On 2 June 2016, 77-year-old Kenzo Takada was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur; the two artists were present. History repeats itself.... For this interview we met the artist couple in their Pré-Saint-Gervais home-cum-studio where they have lived since 1990. Given that they talk virtually in unison, we decided not to differentiate between their responses.

Couple "Our partnership is first and foremost a love story. As children, neither of us could see himself living without his "double", his soulmate. And it came out of the blue! At the outset one of us was a fashion photographer [Pierre] and the other painted and made collages [Gilles]. We helped each other, discussed things together; then one day our work blended together and the art duo Pierre et Gilles was born, six months after we met."

Style "It's best to try not to have one! A style is something that's new and unique, so you need to stay as neutral as possible, try to be yourself, and your style will come... hopefully! Our "trademark" is already recognisable in our first joint pieces, Grimaces in 1977. Although our work has evolved, some elements are permanent fixtures, such as the stagings, the iconisation of our models, our use of popular culture. Being always outside fashions has undoubtedly allowed us to stand out in all eras!"

Models "All our work, and our life, is based on meeting people – whether stars or not doesn't matter. We need to be enthused by our models; they inspire us and enter into our world as we enter into theirs. Some immediately evoke a picture for us, sometimes we hold an idea for a picture a long time until we find the model for it. In all cases it's an emotional exchange; our models are people whom we love and respect."

Ritual "The creative process has been the same for 40 years. In the tradition of artists' studios of the past, we do everything ourselves. Each picture has a story. We feel our way, make preliminary drawings, build the set, prepare the lighting, etc. One takes the photograph, the other paints it. The artisan aspect is fundamental, right down to the framing; we create a unique work."

Influences "They're numerous but childhood is the main one because everything always comes from our childhood dreams, doesn't it? [laughter] We were very drawn to imagery, postcards of film stars and singers but also paintings, religious images a lot, sailors [especially Gilles]. We used to draw them, copy them, cut them out and stick them in albums. Then travelling has had a huge influence on us: India, Bollywood, the Arab world, Asian cinema. What interests us? The world's cultures and above all their differences!"

Blasphemy "Our "religious" pictures may certainly be beautiful, sensual, amusing, but never blasphemous! Some of our artworks have even been displayed in churches, which can sometimes house very dubious imagery... For us, the religious is sacred!"

Kitsch "Let's say it's something of a cross we bear – for 40 years now! [laughter] That's how little the word really means. What may be kitsch in one country, at one time, won't be elsewhere; the same goes for people. We don't see anything as kitsch, we take total responsibility for our love of popular culture. Talking of our work as kitsch doesn't add much to understanding it. Our work speaks of happiness but also sadness, suffering."

Pleasure "What our work brings us. Our art has blended with our life to the point of being its story. We've drawn on our memories, our dreams and what we have experienced and continue to experience together. For us art is a pleasure and a need. Sometimes it's difficult and painful but there's no pleasure without pain! We may travel less today and produce fewer pictures but we work much more than before, with the same pleasure and energy!"

By Mireille Sartore