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Check out the interview with the artist Benjamin JeanJean, who took part in the Cosmos edition.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I'm Benjamin Jeanjean, a visual artist based in the Basque Country. My work alternates between illustration, mural painting, ceramics and tattooing.
My drawings are precise and full of symbolism, with compositions that are often dense and an aesthetic that falls somewhere between ancient engraving and contemporary imagery.
Tell us about your career path and what you currently work as
I started drawing when I was very young, then spent quite a few years doing graffiti alongside my studies in visual communications, which helped me to structure my practice and explore other forms of expression. I also worked as a textile designer, before devoting myself fully to a more personal artistic approach.
Today, I divide my time between different media: ceramic sculptures, tattoos (which give me direct, hands-on contact with people), installations and murals, which take me to the 4 corners of the world.
What do you love most about your job?
The freedom to create, to tell visual stories, and above all to convey messages and emotions through my drawings. I also like the fact that each project is a different adventure, full of encounters and meaning.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from ancient engravings, textile motifs and contemporary imagery. My work is also influenced by surrealism, the irrational and human contradictions. I like to create works that evoke emotions and thoughts, leaving everyone free to interpret the symbols according to their own unique perception.
How did the partnership with Opinel come about?
The partnership came about thanks to Camille from the Art By Friends gallery, who suggested my work to Opinel. I've been working with the gallery for several years now, most notably through a solo exhibition and a mural created in Annecy during the La Virée festival.
So the link came about quite naturally.
How did you come up with the idea for the drawings on the knife, what influenced you?
For this edition, which focuses on the cosmos, I imagined the knife as a talismanic object. The illustration is inspired by a symbolic vision of the universe: a central vase as a receptacle for the world, interwoven motifs evoking the cosmic web, and elements such as the yin-yang or the phases of the moon communicating the notion of balance. I've tried to blend ancient engraving and contemporary symbols, combining tradition and more contemporary readings directly inspired by the tattoo flashes I work with on a regular basis.
How long did this project take you? What were the different stages?
The project took several months to complete. First there was a phase of reflection and personal sketches, followed by discussions with the Opinel team and Camille from Art By Friends to refine the artistic direction.
I then finalised the visuals and adapted the graphics to the specific format of the knife. The whole process took around 4 to 5 months.
Do you have any memories or a story about Opinel that you can share with us?
It's not a specific memory, but rather the diffuse memory of an object that has always been there. Receiving your first Opinel as a child was almost a rite of passage, a sort of proud moment, as if you were growing up. It marked the beginning of those first hikes, adventures in the great outdoors – simple yet memorable moments. The Opinel was a tool, but above all it was a symbol: a symbol of the trust placed in us, and of the bond with those who passed it on to us.
Which is your favourite Opinel knife?
I'm particularly fond of the classic No.08, with its wooden handle. I think it's the most iconic - simple, reliable and always ready to serve.
Describe Opinel in 3 words.
Timeless – Authentic – Inspiring
