"We tend to appreciate and love what we know" - Q&A with Laurence Deschamps-Léger
Today we have the pleasure of chatting with Laurence Deschamps-Léger. You might recognize her from the pages of Comestible or some of our online stories here on the website.
What I appreciate about her work is the deep intersection of sustainability and environmentalism with food. She is committed to shifting the conversation around food through her art, and this commitment shows through in all of her work.
In our ongoing Q&A series with artists, Laurence provides some perspective on food systems and agriculture through an artist’s eye.
Can you describe your path to becoming a food illustrator?
Firstly, it wasn’t planned! At all! Even when I started doing it full time I could hardly believe what was happening. I had been drawing and painting a little bit as a hobby in my teenage years, but I was mostly interested in studying political science and anthropology, to travel and learn about the rest of the world (I grew up and still live in Montreal, Quebec).
I did my B.A. in international development studies at McGill University (and a minor in Hispanic studies). Focusing on Latin America’s politics and cultures, I discovered the importance of land rights, food rights and indigenous rights. I got interested in the concept of food sovereignty as defined by the transnational movement La Via Campesina and wanted to know more. So I went on to do a masters in Development Studies in Geneva Switzerland and oriented my focus on food systems and agriculture. I really found my passion in those years and it hasn’t stopped since.
When I finished my studies I worked for Lufa Farms, a company here in Montreal that had just build first commercial rooftop greenhouse in the world. It became my business school and my first job in the real world or local agriculture. On top of what was grown on the rooftop we worked with dozens of local producers to offer a weekly basket of local produce. Seeing all the seasonal arrivals, talking with all the farmers and artisans was definitely a life-changing experience for me.
For marketing purposes, I would create visuals, draw on the walls during open houses, create photoshoots that would showcase varieties of tomatoes, etc. I think that’s how the link between food, information and visual art came into life for me. After that, I created the first seasonal produce calendar (in 2015), and from there, it never stopped!
You have a big focus on sustainability, seasonality, and local food. How do you think art helps people to make a connection to what they eat in ways that other modes of communication can't?
One thing I know for sure is that we all have an emotional connection to food, so we start from there. I initially thought food illustration would be a small niche, but rapidly I discovered everyone connects to images of food because everyone eats. Illustration allows me to represent aspects of food and agriculture that can’t be captured in one photograph. I can give a more poetic aspect to a branch of thyme, provide an image of a veggie’s cross section or represent the links between food system actors. It gives us freedom and endless possibilities to represent ideas, concepts, emotions.
What is an illustration project that you would love to work on?
Some kind of big illustration representing the complexity of the food system. I keep thinking of that project. Another wish would be to spend a few days or weeks during a summer living and working on a farm to list, study and illustrate heirloom varieties of specific plants.
What are some of your favorite foods to draw?
Definitely fruits, vegetables and herbs in general, but I especially like to study and draw rare or strange varieties.
Who are some of the artists and food people that you are inspired by?
Here in Québec, I’m inspired by lots of women that contribute in essential ways to the local food system. Women like Lyne Bellemare who is a seed saver, Mariève Savaria and Véronique Bouchard who are organic farmers with a complex understanding of food system issues. I also admire women that lead local collective kitchens groups throughout the city of Montreal. They play a crucial role in getting people together around food.
I’m also particularly inspired by women around the world who use art, science and the popularization of science to work towards a better, fairer food system. I love to stumble across the work of people who manage to communicate the complexity, interconnectedness of food and agriculture.
A few more:
Jai Bess, artist
Jill Pelto, artist and scientist
Marije Vogelzang, food designer
Molly Costello, artist
What do you find intriguing about the intersection of food and art?
Over time I realized they have a lot in common. Firstly, food and plants in general have been a popular subject of study for artists since forever. It’s a common element of life and provide us with the energy we need to live. If we can maintain that ability to wonder ( in French we say “capacité d’émerveillement”), the one we have as a child, towards the incredible beauty and power of a single seed for example, then we might want to draw it, to know it, because we tend to appreciate and love what we know.
Also, I think we can definitely make a parallel between the time and love it takes to plant, grow and harvest a carrot (or any fruit or veggie) and the time and love it takes to draw one, to truly look at it, see it, study it and understand its color, texture, lines, etc. This might seem like a romantic vision, but I think it’s a starting point to get interested in our food. I think art, illustration and drawing, just like gardening, cooking and eating, can make us understand better, love and celebrate our food and the people that grow it too.
Want to learn more about artists working at the intersection of food, art, and land? Check out our Art section.
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