VETMA x SENY
PREFACE :
I met Seny at an event hosted by a friend of mine. We started chatting quickly, and the connection was immediate. I remember having a really good time that evening.
A few months later, I found out that Seny was preparing his new exhibition in an art gallery. We soon arranged to meet in a cozy spot in Paris to talk about our projects, it was also the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about his life and journey.
The following week, we agreed to set up an interview. I hope this conversation allows you to dive into his world and enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading to all.
INTERVIEW :
Hi Seny, could you quickly introduce yourself ?
My name is Seny, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Vitry-sur-Seine. I’m an artist. I started with street art when I was 14, painting in the streets of my hometown. Three years ago, I organized my first exhibition in Paris. Since then, I’ve had the chance to take part in various art projects both in Paris and internationally. Passionate about art in all its forms, I now try to explore different artistic fields.
How would you define your work ?
My work is defined by vibrant, pop colors, deeply personal subjects, and a mixed-media technique that combines acrylic, spray paint, oil, and oxidation painting. I mostly paint on metal surfaces, which I oxidize as a way to connect my work to my street art roots. My favorite themes are portraits, which allow me to express emotion through the gaze of my subjects but more recently, I’ve also started exploring everyday life scenes inspired by my pop and urban world.
Your paintings carry strong emotional weight. Do you see each one as a personal journal or as a mirror held up to others?
My first exhibitions focused on others. I worked on a series of portraits of children and women who inspired me. At that time, it felt more like holding up a mirror to others, inviting people to see the world through my eyes. To observe others the way I see them. Today, I’m working on a new exhibition called WELCOME TO REALITY, which feels more like a personal journal. It’s a way of inviting people into my reality and my daily life.
If you had to choose a single piece that sums up your whole artistic approach, which one would it be and why?
Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved exploring different forms of art, from painting to 3D design, fashion collections, and even music. So picking just one piece to sum up everything I do would feel a bit reductive. It would take away from the experimental and multidisciplinary nature of my work.
You seem to play with textures, emptiness, visual silence… What role do the unfinished or imperfect elements play in your work?
I really like the term “visual silence”, because it reminds me of something I often say about the connection between painting and music. When you listen to a song, it’s the silences, the rhythm changes, and pauses that give the whole thing meaning. It’s the same with my work it’s not about empty space, it’s about breathing room, giving the piece a clearer rhythm. Also, since I work on metal surfaces that I oxidize, I like leaving raw spaces that highlight the material and let me play with layering, rust, and shine. I’m not sure I’d call it “unfinished” it’s more about how I perceive things and how I choose to highlight what moves me. At the same time, it leaves space for each viewer to interpret the empty areas in their own way and get lost in it if they want to.
Do you usually work on one painting at a time, or do you like to open several creative doors in parallel?
It depends on the piece. Sometimes, the creative process is super spontaneous an idea strikes and I let it all out in one go. Other times, especially with large formats, I need to take a step back. I’ll start one, pause, work on another, then come back to the first. Each painting requires real prep work in terms of composition, so the research I do for one often helps shape ideas for another. I also tend to change my mind along the way, I want to stay true to how I feel in the moment.
Do you share your work with others before it's finished, or is your process fully solitary?
My process is pretty solitary, I usually work alone in my studio, in my bubble, with music on and just trusting my instincts. But when a piece is nearly finished, I often ask my family for feedback. They’re very involved in my artistic journey and give me solid advice. Actually, my dad helped guide me when I was starting out, and now my sister is my manager. I trust them a lot when I’m unsure about something. I also have a circle of young artists I’ve met over time who’ve become friends. We often share our work and thoughts, it’s a great way to see my pieces through other eyes, and to do the same for them.
Your solo show is coming up… How do you feel about exposing your universe to the public like this?
This exhibition is a real challenge for me, I’m not used to revealing so much of myself. I’m excited to share my work and hear people’s reactions, but I’m also a bit nervous. This solo show feels like a turning point in my journey the beginning of a new chapter where I feel freer to fully be myself. It’s both an exhibition… and a kind of therapy.
Did you imagine this exhibition as a linear story, a visual shock, or more like an emotional maze?
It’s a bit of all three, honestly. It’s the story of my journey and growth, a representation of my visual, cultural, and musical universe, but also an emotional maze where viewers can wander and discover little pieces of me in each work. I imagined it like a kind of “portrait chinois”, allowing people to discover me not just as an artist but as a person too.
What’s the hidden detail in the exhibition that only a sharp eye will notice?
There’s not just one hidden detail in this exhibition… it’s a life-size treasure hunt. Each piece contains subtle references to my life my passions, inspirations, emotions. It’s a tribute to Algeria, my father’s home country, to films and music that shaped me, like 113 or Rohff, both from Vitry-sur-Seine and to the suburbs that raised me and made me who I am today. There are also a lot of artistic references throughout the show, you’ll find echoes of Andy Warhol’s pop art, Virgil Abloh’s avant-garde spirit, and the bold visual energy of Prince Gyasi.
