From Paris to Rio, the colorful travels of Laurent Gélis

Laurent Gélis is a genius with color. He invents them. From the soft green shades of nature that have always inspired him, to the flamboyant red of the walls of his home in Brazil, to the sunny yellow of the light he seeks in Guétary, Sao Paulo, Rio or Greece, Laurent is an artist who touches on everything.

First an accountant, then the creator of the Robert le Héros brand, which was a resounding success in the world of interior design, then a gallery owner, curator, and discoverer of young talent, he now lives out his passion: painting, putting his feelings and impressions on canvas, his photographic inspirations brought back from his travels to create structured works with graphic and textured flat areas of color.
"I transform the landscapes I see with lines and masses of color that I invent, I sprinkle my canvases with color. "
Vibrant flowers, calligraphic messages, and bayadère stripes are expressed in an explosion of colors that radiate in all directions on cushions, lamps, and decorative objects with linear graphics, almost as orderly as his works painted on canvas, which encourage contemplation and poetry, allowing the mind to wander elsewhere, always towards the sun and light. Robert the Hero seems to have mellowed, to have gained in maturity, and in any case to be as serene as his works, whose skilful blend of shades is a testament to his genius for color.

What does the word "travel" mean to you?

Surprise and curiosity. The surprise of meeting new and often unexpected people. Curiosity about places, architecture and nature, true sources of inspiration for my artistic work. I immerse myself completely when I travel.

Your favourite addresses, destinations and hotels?

The list is long. All my trips are intense and memorable.
My favorite places often have no names or addresses; they were discovered by chance, at the last minute. Nevertheless, there are also some well-known, unforgettable places where I like to stay, such as theOld Winter in Luxor, theGrand Hyatt in Shanghai, the Mercer in New York, the Fasano in Sao Paulo, and the Es Saadi in Marrakech, where I go with my family every year.

Tell us about your most memorable trip? A travel anecdote?

When I was 30, I went to Guatemala with a very adventurous friend. He taught me that precariousness is an essential part of travel if you're looking for real emotions. Sleeping in hammocks and hitchhiking in a truck trailer, for example, are things that leave a lasting impression. After hours on the bus, arriving at Lake Atitlan in a village with no water or electricity means you quickly get to know the local people. For me, this is also the magic of travel, these unexpected encounters.

Your best dining experience?

Not far away, in Paris, in the 7th arrondissement, at Alain Passard's Arpège. In spring, the vegetables in the kitchen garden are extraordinary.

The architecture that made the biggest impression on you

The architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, the modern architect who shaped Brazil and designed the main public buildings of the capital Brasilia in the 60s. I regularly photograph his buildings, which I use in my paintings, such as my Tableau Lagoa 1126 created in 2023.

Your last trip?

I've just arrived from the Basque country, where I regularly spend time with friends in Guéthary. The authenticity, the climate, the gastronomy and the camaraderie are all elements that lead me to stay regularly in this magnificent region.

Do you prefer trunk, suitcase, travel bag or no luggage?

Travel bag with very few things + my iPhone to photograph everything that can feed my creative work. Lines, masses, colors ... which will then provide inspiration for my paintings.

Globe-trotter or motionless traveler?

Definitely a globetrotter! I need to constantly nourish myself and discover new places. I don't create anything in my artistic work, but I observe, photograph and appropriate the image, shaping it with my own style of simple lines and flat colors. Color ranges are also often observed, photographed and used in my work. The eye is a wonderful tool.

An essential item in your suitcase...

None at all. The essential is derisory. Today, everything is available everywhere and at any time... why bother!

What do you bring back from your travels?

My photo reports fuel my research, and sometimes objects I've found among local craftsmen, with a particular fondness for ceramics.

How would you define the ideal trip?

It's travel that opens up new perspectives for me, whether creative or more personal. In 2006, on my first trip to Rio, I discovered the historic district of Santa Teresa. The emotional shock was so strong that I wanted to build a story there and bought a house - Casa Amarelo (now a guest house). For almost 20 years now, it's been an absolute pleasure to enjoy the charm of the place, and the Brazilian conviviality.

What's the best travel tip you'd give Plume's friends?

Travel is an escape, an intensity that can only be personal. A good degree of introspection is necessary to enjoy travel. It's a moment of freedom that needs to be savored.

Next trip?

Greece... I imagine the ideal trip where I'll discover a neighborhood, an island, a house by the water and where I'll be able to build a new story for eternity!

Laurent Gélis news

"My latest news is Brazilian! I was invited to Trancoso this summer to exhibit 15 paintings signed Robert le Héros ART in a gallery in Quadrado, inspired by this wonderful village that I discovered 10 years ago. The opening took place on August 9. For the occasion, the Brazilian brand BIRIBA presented a collection of beachwear with my paintings printed on the large pockets of the shirts. My color palettes are used to create clothing with wide stripes. Chic and timeless, the combination is interesting."
And an exhibition of 16 paintings by Robert le Héros Art will take place in his gallery @galerie20thorigny
"Lembranças Vivas 2020-2023" from October 7 to 11, 2025.