Fish & Kitsch: A Surreal Ode to 80s Aesthetics

Born from the imaginative collaboration of Charline Barber and Mathilde Gonthier, Fish and Kitsch draws inspiration from the atmosphere of seaside resorts in the South of France. Their vision is to pay homage to the region's unique ambiance, recreating the essence of a kitschy postcard found in beachside souvenir stores.

Creating surreal scenes, the duo ingeniously transformed vintage dishes into showcases for jewelry pieces. Their creative inspiration draws from diverse sources, including Martin Parr's iconic series "The Beach," the surrealistic and colorful imagery featured in Toilet Paper Magazine, Marcel Duchamp's ready-made art, and the zany, offbeat aesthetic of Nadia Lee Cohen.

The allure of 80s aesthetics holds a special place in the hearts of Charline and Mathilde, despite not having grown up in that era. Cultural elements from the 80s have left an indelible impact, resonating in contemporary art and design. The duo finds fascination in the nostalgic emotions evoked by this era, inspiring them to create innovative works with a vintage-inspired twist.

From Charline and Mathilde's perspective, kitsch takes on distinct meanings. Charline perceives it as a creative twist on bad taste, while Mathilde defines it as a style marked by excessive, gaudy, and sometimes tacky elements. Despite potential criticisms regarding its artistic value, they wholeheartedly embrace kitsch's mantra: "ugly is the new beautiful”.

Charline and Mathilde work seamlessly together, brainstorming and curating mood boards for inspiration. They experiment with various mediums and collaborations, crafting new visual wonders they take pride in.

Fish & Kitsch is a testament to 80s aesthetics and the power of creative collaboration.