3 questions for Basil Girard, street art winner and Winterthur artist

Basil Girard is the winner of the House of Winterthur street art project and designed the wall on Bahnmeisterweg on the Sulzer site in 2021 - "the green Winterthur".

Where do you get your inspiration from - especially in relation to this work?
Everything around me to the left and right; fabrics, clothing, house decorations, house facades and painted cupboards. Especially in this work: for example, the patterns from the antique tiled stoves in Winterthur can be found on the wall on Bahnmeisterweg. Before I do anything, I think a lot about what I don't want under any circumstances, what I stand for and what I can stand behind. I also asked myself what makes Winterthur unique and what the work should contribute to life in the neighborhood. First and foremost, my art should be something beautiful that people walk past and enjoy looking at. I was particularly inspired by the aspect of the garden city. I want to bring nature into the city.

What is your connection to Winterthur?
I grew up here and my closest circle of friends are from Winterthur and have always stayed here. It was a bit different for me - as a teenager I didn't really have a connection to the city anymore. As a hip-hop and breakdancer, I was only here to sleep. What I found rather boring about Winterthur back then, I appreciate more today. I now see my home with different eyes and have discovered Winterthur as a cool cultural city in recent years. Quiet and pleasant - that's how I feel about Winterthur and I love it.

What made you decide to apply for the street art competition?
I already loved this wall when I was a little boy. I always wanted to design something creative on it. So there was no question about it and I didn't hesitate for a moment. I'm delighted to have won and to have been able to let off steam creatively. I felt free to spontaneously change my mind on the wall - that's why I deviated slightly from the submitted sketch in certain details. And a second reason why I applied: The jury member, Julien Kolly. It's great that you had a real expert from the graffiti art scene with you who knows a thing or two about it.