'Studio Talk is a painting evoking the relationship generated in the studios between artists.

Artists discussions are invaluable and help each other to be stronger and deeper artistically. It is also a mark of solidarity, taking time for a friend, a colleague, using the same language of creation. These conversations helped Barontini when he was a student but are still very important in his creative process today.
This specific piece came from a souvenir of a stay in Mexico City, having discussions with Clotilde Jimenez in his studio.

"I composed this painting like a collage, trying to represent the intensity of the exchange. The background is coming from a painting by Frédéric Bazille representing men in a Parisian studios, discussing, practicing. I loved the composition of the paintings on the walls; they gave a rhythm to my piece in the background. My characters are artists, depicted in a crazy way to give a sort of intensity to the work. It symbolizes the variety of influences, ethnicities, in our artistic personalities, our capacity of creativity. The characters are made with court portraits, sacred fang masks from Gabon, Ritual statues, and some human parts from vintage photographies.
The hand that plays a huge role in the piece comes from a portrait of James Baldwin.' - Raphaël Barontini