Selected by Vincent de Goede

In 'Eyes of Gold', we invite some of our favourite tastemakers with a golden eye to select three works from the Bisou collection. Each guest explains their choices and shares how these pieces might live together in their space.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am Vincent de Goede, owner of an independent eyewear boutique filled with the best independent eyewear I can find. I have a background in graffiti and graphic design, punkrock and skateboarding. 

I have been a car crazy guy since I was born and that resulted in a weird collection of around 10 cars right now. I like "driver's cars", the ones that really steer well. But also I have a soft spot for cars that are a little bit misunderstood or weird. It fits my vibe. My shop is based in Houten near Utrecht and we live in a mid century bungalow on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.

Our home is full of thrifted vintage design furniture and our walls are filled with the beautiful work of Pascal Duval, Kumi Sugaï, Seong Ryul and Tymo Grijpma. 

You’ve selected three works from Bisou, what drew you to each?

Kumi Sugaï, 'L'Orage'

I really love the textures in his early work. They remind me of charred Japanese wood and Shodō calligraphy. The palette also feels very grounded. Like rocks, woods, and the ocean. And I love the use of negative space in this piece.

Pascal Duval, 'Snake Samovar'

What really strikes me about Pascal's work is the raw, naive lines mixed with almost aggressive brushstrokes. In this piece specifically, the dark base and pink accents make for a powerful contrast. The slightly occult vibe in the details is amazing.

Alan Nguyen, 'Allosaurus Blue'

This piece combines ancient fossils with modern-day technology and materials in a way that really fascinates me. It feels both organic and synthetic at the same time. It’s amazing how Alan managed to bridge two eras that couldn't be further apart. I also love how the dinosaur’s skull seems to rise from the surface, giving the impression that the whole creature is about to emerge from the tabletop.

ps. Check out his other sculptures as well.

Would you display these together, or would they live in different spaces?

Personally, I would display these works in our living room. Combining these different styles would create a great eclectic atmosphere that reflects my personal taste. I also think the mix of paintings and sculptures would work exceptionally well in that space.

Is there a piece from this selection you'd love to ask the artist a question about?

I have a question for Pascal Duval; have you ever considered taking on tattooing? If you ever do, sign me up.

I've been drawing all my life, and I've collected a few tattoos of my own along the way, so your question isn't a new one to me. Should I give tattooing a go? So far I haven't. I think it's because with painting you can always paint over it or grab a fresh canvas. Maybe it's a fear of failing, haha. A bad painting goes in the bin, but I'd hate to ruin someone's skin for life. That said, I wouldn't mind trying it out on you :-) I've always loved tattoos that are a bit naive and clunky anyway.

The fun part is that you picked the Snake Samovar, which is built on two elements. The first is the samovar, the traditional Russian urn used to boil water for tea. In this work it becomes the vessel for the second: religious Russian prison tattoos. I like the fact that they're a kind of secret language, a life story you can read on someone's skin.