I knew a little bit about Philadelphia’s historical background—its role as a birthplace of the United States, the red brick buildings, the museums—but I didn’t want to go through the city like a tourist ticking off landmarks. My idea was to find a more personal entry point, something that would let me explore the city in a way that felt authentic. So I started looking into urban nature projects and discovered the Urban Forest Initiative, which sparked the idea of using parks and reforestation zones as a way to navigate Philly. That gave me a kind of map to follow, and also a loose theme to start drawing from.

I didn’t expect the scale and beauty of Philadelphia’s green spaces—biking along the Wissahickon Trail was a real highlight. It felt cinematic, especially crossing those big American-style bridges you only ever see in movies when you grow up in Europe. However, one of the strongest impressions I had was the contrast between neighborhoods that are clearly being gentrified and the deep poverty that coexists right next to them. It’s not something I had anticipated to such a degree. There’s a visible crisis in the city, many people living on the streets, dealing with addiction, and it hit me hard. I stayed in a small house in a recently renovated area, but just a few blocks away the reality was completely different. Taking the subway also revealed a side of the city that I couldn’t ignore. It made it hard to keep my initial focus on just trees and parks and I found myself more drawn to the people, to those who live and breathe in this complex and unpredictable environment.

The artwork I made is based on a somewhat unsettling yet powerful memory. I was on a bus one evening coming back from Pennypack Park, and I saw a group of very young kids, maybe six or seven years old, some of them wearing ski masks, all running around and throwing things in the street. It wasn’t violent, but it was chaotic, a bit like something out of Lord of the Flies. It was such a strange contrast—children acting out in a way that felt completely unfiltered. It left a big impression on me, and I tried to translate that eerie energy into the artwork.

Travel Diary

Thursday, October 3, 2024

I had an amazing day thanks to your recommendations. I started with a lovely walk from Center City to Fairmount Park, then rented a bike to explore the northern part of the park and a section of the Trolley Trail. After that I visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where I discovered stunning prints by Hiroshige and some beautiful paintings by Winslow Homer that I wasn’t familiar with yet.

Friday, October 4, 2024

Day 2 in Philly! Yesterday I explored the historic district of the city, taking i the charming red brick buildings and Georgian architecture. I walked all the way to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which offers a fantastic view of the skyline. I also met up with Anuj Shrestha, and together we attended the opening of Shawn Theodore at Paradigm Gallery. It was a great evening filled with art and good conversation. Looking forward to tomorrow’s adventures!

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Day 3 in Philly. I spent the day at Wissahickon Valley Park, enjoying both walking and biking through the beautiful trails. The scenery was truly stunning, especially on such a sunny afternoon! Later in the day I met up with Anuj Shrestha again, at the Partners and Son gallery, for an interesting discussion about the work of Barrack Zailaa Rima, celebrating the launch of the English translation of his book ‘Beirut*.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

I took it a bit easier today, since it was Sunday. I enjoyed the small garden at the Kensington house where I’m staying. I also spent some time painting, inspired by photos and memories from the last few days. In the video above you can see one of those paintings featuring a water tower I spotted in the southern part of Wissahickon Park. Looking forward to more adventures tomorrow!

Monday, October 7, 2024

A big thank you to The Jaunt for an amazing trip. I had the chance to immerse myself in the atmosphere of Philadelphia, the city and its parks. I also had some great encounters along the way. Yesterday, I spent the day wandering through the city, capturing countless photos that will inspire my paintings once I have returned. Now I’m off to New York for a few days before making my way back to France again.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure!