Manuel Mathieu: The Multidisciplinary Artist Who Edits Perfume

Manuel Mathieu, a Haitian-born artist based in Montreal, expands his multidisciplinary practice to include perfume, which he describes as a natural extension of his artistic vision. In a recent interview, Mathieu, who works across painting, sculpture, film, and poetry, emphasized that he prefers to be seen as an 'editor' of perfume rather than a perfumer, as he collaborates with a 'nose' to translate his ideas into olfactory compositions. He views perfume as a democratic art form, noting that 'you cannot convince someone to like a smell,' and contrasts this with the intellectualization of the art world, which he criticizes for creating unnecessary hierarchies. Mathieu's interest in perfume stems from its ability to operate in the invisible realm, much like abstract painting, which he believes works 'inside of us.' His artistic practice is deeply conceptual, focusing on themes such as the dictatorship in Haiti, spirituality, and his own accident. He states that the most important part of his work is 'to reflect, to have good ideas,' and that the artworks are 'a residue of my thought.' Mathieu finds balance and peace through his art, describing it as 'a way of existing.' The interview was published on August 16, 2026, by RFI as part of their '100% création' podcast series.