His creative process revolves around travel diaries, popular archives and traditional Japanese techniques, in particular shibori, a resist-dyeing method that Adrien Testard reinterprets on paper.

This combination of ink drawings, folding, drying, then unfolding the paper, leaves a great deal to chance and reveals abstract landscapes that bear witness to the geographical explorations of the artist.

Japan plays a crucial role in Adrien Testard’s artistic journey. His research into the concept of the “living ruin,” derived from Japanese aesthetics, has led him to develop a vision where past and present intertwine in a perpetual motion.

Water, both as a resource and a spiritual symbol, also holds a central place in his work. These themes manifest in his abstract design — the sandy yellows and mineral browns, punctuated by deep greens and aquatic blues, the subtle, delicate borders that transport us from oasis to the desert, and the mirage-like impressions that spark the imagination. This evocative vision captivated the creative studio at Maison Pierre Frey.

Each of the three mediums developed by the design team highlights a distinct aspect of Testard’s work: the wallpaper echoes the Shibori technique, the jacquard fabric — with its interplay of dry, fine threads and plush, textured weaves— suggests the relief of a mineral landscape, while the rug faithfully captures the original artwork’s dynamic
color palette. 

This collaboration allowed Adrien Testard to expand his work beyond his usual formats while preserving the essence of his artistic gesture. His encounter with Maison Pierre Frey gave his creations a new dimension, integrating them into the world of interior design while maintaining their poetic and memorial strength.