For over 15 years, Clément Lesaffre has delved into the exploration of our deep roots through his paintings, drawings, photographs, and in situ projections in historically rich locations. Throughout his artistic and personal journey, water gradually emerged as a guiding thread, inspiring his works and directing his life.
A strong personal and artistic connection with the sea
Since childhood, Clément Lesaffre has maintained an intimate relationship with the sea. Originally from northern France, he discovered the shores early on, particularly at the Pointe du Raz and in the Mediterranean during family vacations. « I learned to swim as I learned to speak, » he confides, describing an unalterable attachment to the sea despite never having lived by the water. From his early years, he explored coastal areas, turned stones—already striving to preserve their place—and observed marine life.
His adolescence in Belgium was marked by intensive swimming practice. Already, total immersion in water became a necessity: « My coach would complain that I was always underwater! » His need for immersion became a creative and personal driving force.
The revelation of freediving
Always drawn to water, Clément Lesaffre discovered freediving in 2017, thanks to a gift from his then-partner: fins and a membership in a local club. This late introduction proved to be a revelation: « I had found my element, and it changed my life. » He quickly excelled in regional competitions, finding in freediving a natural extension of his artistic sensations, where weightlessness and the connection to water were already present in his works.
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