interview with an illustrator
Vincent Vigla
The Paris based
illustrator reveals
the story of his family
origins and artistic
educatio n in France
and Germany . . .
u SB What drew you to illustration? Vincent: My father was a
photographer so I grew in an environment in which pictures have
a great place. By 13 I was in love with André Franquin’s work and
had decided to become an Illustrator. u SB Do you have any
formal design training? Vincent: A diploma with distinction from
the ESAG-Penninghen Graphic Arts school in Paris. Through the
Erasmus program, I went to the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin
for few months, where I attended illustration courses by Hennig
Wagenbreth. u SB Where are you from? Vincent: In Normandy
with a family name which seems to come from Norway, Estonia
or Greece. My ancestors were probably merchants who came
with the Malta Knights who founded an hospital in my city in
Normandy in the twelfth century. u SB Where do you live now
and what drew you there? Vincent: In the 14th Arrondissement
of Paris, an old artistic quarter of Paris near Montparnasse where
a lot of American artists stayed between the two World Wars.
u SB Describe your studio. Vincent: A large square room in my
flat with good light and mountains of papers and books. u SB
162