Tamar Clarke-Brown on William Mapan

In recent years, Paris-based artist William Mapan has been spending a lot of time observing the freedom with which his child draws. Unrestricted by knowledge, structure and rules, they express themselves freely. Contrast this with the restrictions and self-consciousness that adults develop as they become aware of their environment. 

William Mapan is an artist who combines traditional art practices with code. His artistic journey began with an early interest in video games, which sparked a curiosity for computers and visuals. After pursuing formal education in informatics and later in visual arts, he was introduced to the world of media arts. Starting his career as a creative developer in the advertising industry, Mapan soon found himself drawn to personal artistic experimentation, merging code and traditional art forms. A pivotal moment came around 2016, when he encountered an exhibition on Generative Art. Seeing and being among other generative artists' work, he realized that he was part of a wider movement, and that he wasn't alone, solidifying his artistic direction and connecting him with a community of like-minded artists.  While he started posting his work on Twitter in 2009, it wasn’t until the emergence of Web3 and NFTs, along with communities like the Tezos ecosystem, that  his career soon propelled, offering new platforms for showcasing and supporting his practice. 

Mapan's artistic practice is deeply personal and introspective. He seeks to infuse his personality and emotions into his digital creations, into the code and algorithms he uses, aiming to bridge the gap between the digital and physical realms. For Mapan, the human hand is a limited tool, and he views the computer as an extension of himself that enables him to push artistic boundaries and explore new possibilities. Even dreaming of one day building a digital arm, he believes it's important to find better ways to translate the nuances that he can achieve with his hands and body into his digital work. He strives to make the machine a tool that enables him to express his unique artistic vision and bridge the disconnect he feels between the digital and physical aspects of his practice.

Mapan’s creative process often begins with physical sketches, painting, drawing and explorations of mark-making in different mediums. He then translates these ideas into code, experimenting with algorithms and randomness to achieve unique and expressive results. His work is characterized by a focus on humanness, the touch of the hand, and the incorporation of his own "DNA" into diaristic, digital pieces. Mapan is continually inspired by the world around him, not only including his son's drawings, but interestingly the works of traditional painters. He is particularly drawn to Expressionism and Impressionism, finding resonance in their passionate and evocative portrayals of life.

Witnessing his child's artistic development has prompted Mapan to reflect on his own artistic journey and his relationship with digital tools. In recent years, his artistic evolution has been marked by a shift from a focus on technical exploration to a deeper engagement with personal expression. More than ever, he is driven by a desire to create art that is uniquely his own, imbued with his personality and experiences, and to translate the freedom and expressiveness of traditional art forms into his digital creations. Mapan’s artistic journey is a testament to his unwavering curiosity, his passion for pushing artistic boundaries, and his commitment to staying true to his artistic vision in an ever-evolving digital landscape. For this very reason, Mapan’s Sketchbook series (2023) remains his favourite; a testament to creation without constraints. The artist’s sketchbook remains his homespace, where he is free to do whatever he wants, unconcerned with external pressure, commercial or market influence. Simply, it allows him to be the most himself.