Julien Espagnon

Julien Espagnon was born in France in 1992. He studied applied arts before earning a Master’s degree in Interactive Design, where he discovered expressive possibilities of code. Initially working as a web designer, he joined the communication agency Spintank in 2015 as an interactive designer and later as a frontend developer. Since 2020, he has worked independently across design and development, while dedicating increasing time to his artistic practice.

Espagnon’s work is rooted in programming as a creative process, using algorithms to generate visual systems that evolve through repetition, variation, and unpredictability. He draws inspiration from 20th-century artists, particularly those working with geometry and color, and is drawn to the tension between precision and randomness. Many of his digital pieces are materialized through the use of a plotter, which he approaches as a drawing tool and creative partner in exploring physical textures, unexpected marks, and material nuance. Across his work in standalone series, collaborative projects, and generative tools, he seeks to reintroduce the human hand into digital processes and enrich the creative interaction within his art.

His work has been exhibited internationally, including at 37xDubai, Art Basel Paris, and the Galerie Data. Collaborations with artists like Florence Cardenti and Matt Deslauriers reflect his interest in how generative systems can interact with photography, sound, and physical space. In several exhibitions, he has created tools that invite viewers to generate their own images, reinforcing his ongoing exploration of participation and shared authorship. Alongside his practice, Espagnon leads workshops and courses in creative coding and plotter drawing, encouraging others to approach code as a space for experimentation.