Introducing Pierre Julien

135 artists are taking part in "Inside Job" which takes place on the 7th and 8th of April on Level 6 of Tate Modern. Over the next few weeks The Rebel Magazine will be chatting to some of the Tate staff who are showing their artwork. First up is Pierre Julien...

Q: Where did you grow up and what kind of education did you receive? "I was born in Dartford Kent 1971 and part of my childhood was spent in Edinburgh from the age between 4-13 (fabulous place and people) We moved to London in the early 80s I enrolled at William Ellis School from this age have resided in London since. In 1988 I was attending a summer school at Central St Martins and then spent 2 years on foundation studies one full-time one part-time, After this period I applied to West Surrey College of Fine Art and Studied Fine Art there from 1991-1994.It whilst studying Fine Art that I was encouraged to learn printmaking at this time they had etching and some lithography practise. I felt that I needed apply for what was then an HDFA at UCL Slade School of Fine Art and began studying and specialising in printmaking after meeting Professor Bartholemew Dos Santos from 1995-1997. From this period I travelled to my fathers country Mauritius to learn about my cultural heritage. I returned to London and worked for English Heritage from 1999-2012. " Q: How long have you been working at the Tate and what's the best show you've seen there? "I started working at Tate in 2013 with Wilson James and since 2016 have been employed by Tate directly as A Visitor Assistant. As far as shows are concerned its very difficult to say whether I have had a favourite show. Part of the privelidge that i feel working there is that there is a constant influx of artists ideas and legacies. My perception of this concept has changed because of the question I would say definitely the Paul Klee and the Mattisse around the time when I started I would veer between those two . And As I continue working my opinions might very well change." Q:What can you tell me about the work you're exhibiting in the Tate Modern show? "The work that I will be exhibiting in the staff show at Tate Modern is a Collograph Print, Which is an ecological alternative to etching and can be made at and home very and easy to produce. Printed using the Brand Press at the London Print Studio In Westbourne Park London. The image is taken from a drawing which I made of the Sea view in Brighton from the Pier which I then transfer on the printing plate. After various processes and when the plate is ready I coat the printing plate with Shellac which makes the printing plate spirit proof and so one can produce editions (in Theory) Sometimes I use more than one plate to create an image and this allows freedom to experiment randomly when printing."

Q: How can people find out more about your work - do you have a website or do Instagram? "I have a page on facebook called ' PierreJulien Artworks' and also am on instagram as Pierreshaped1. For information on printmaking I am featured in a book called Printmaking on a Budget By Steve Mumberson and Mandy Bonnel. I have ideas for a website for future purposes but havent decided on the format as of yet." Q: Is there anything you have to declare / do you have a favourite quote, thought or joke you'd care to share? "As there is Picasso exhibition currently on show I will use this quote my favourite Picasso quote, 'It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child...'"

"Inside Job": An exhibition of art by Tate Staff will take place on Level 6 of the Blavatnik Building of Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern