MEET ARNO
Born in Paris, Arno Frugier studied economics before finding his passion – photography. In 2011, while living in New York City, he started his own photography business and has since shot for some of the world’s top designers and iconic brands, including Hermes, Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Thom Browne, The Row, Victoria Beckham… the list goes on… as well as editorial clients, such as W Magazine, Wall Street Journal and Vogue UK, to name a few. Now splitting his time between NYC and NWA, Arno has quickly found a home in our local art community. We are proud to feature his work and to understand him deeper in conversation below in advance of IN DEPTH.
MIXD: How would you describe your work?
Arno Frugier: Minimal. Intimate. I tend to chase personal emotions and reflect a timeless vision, sort of stolen moments.
MIXD: Can you share with us more about your process?
AF: I never have a specific plan. I enjoy the empty page, whether it’s a white wall in the studio or a crowded street, I isolate my subject and capture a unique moment.
I tend to chase personal emotions and reflect a timeless vision, sort of stolen moments.
ARNO FRUGIER
MIXD: You work with some of the top fashion brands. How do some of your iconic images come to be?
AF: Fascinated by fashion and human beauty in general, I slowly fill up the frame with surrounding emotions using fashion that inspires me, music I listen to, lighting I use, eventual set design… I tend to control body language and keep an eye on things like, a wrinkle in the clothing, hands, hair… in order to witness and capture the rawness of my subject.
MIXD: What is unique about your creative process?
AF: As a work in progress, I enjoy experimenting with my images, extending their lifetime by using different crafty mediums, such as a bad quality scanner or printer for reproduction, mixing elements through collage or using alternative printing papers and adding a creative layer to the initial captured celluloid surfaces.
I never have a specific plan. I enjoy the empty page, whether it’s a white wall in the studio or a crowded street …
ARNO FRUGIER
MIXD: What do you love most about your work? And now working in Northwest Arkansas?
AF: As a photographer, I enjoy spending my time observing and capturing places and people I bump into every day, so showing my work to the NWA community feels very special. I’m lucky to live in an area where there are a lot of very talented artists, so contributing to the expansion of the medium, sharing experiences and supporting precious local art initiatives is personally (and definitely) meaningful.
A very warm thank you to Arno Frugier for joining us in conversation. If you’re interested in viewing more of his work you can enjoy HERE.
Article Credits
Copy, Nicole Boddington. Gallery Images, Henry O. Head.