20 questions with artist Hedi Ferjani
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
9 hours of sleep and my brushes when I paint.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Art, art and art. I like this Oscar Wilde quote: “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”… Or as “The Queen of Pop” would put it: “Express yourself, don’t repress yourself”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Al-Assad and chemical weapons and politicians acting like children.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Being a child and have no responsibilities.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Been there, done that with my ex. Never again.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
For me, the mystery about the banking crisis is that nobody saw it coming. I’m not sure what the answer is but I gain some comfort from the words of Albert Einstein: “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits”.
My biggest worry about the crisis is that all this quantitative easing could result in excessive inflation. I told my dogs this and now they’re equally concerned. If the price of Pedigree Chum rises to two Euros a tin, that is 14 Euros in dog money.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“I am so sorry”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I tend to support smaller foundations as opposed to bigger ones. It’s not that I don’t appreciate their work, but larger charities tend to be opaque. I feel more comfortable donating to smaller ones like No More Traffik where I can actually hear about the outcome.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
They should always be switched off during take-off and landing and at church of course.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Assuming Hercule Poirot is not needed, Sarah Sophie Flicker and The Citizens Band.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I would through a dinner jail party for my friends and cook something simple like what is offered by La Tour D’Argent: Demoiselles rôties à la framboise volaille de challans en gelée, écrevisses et foie gras quenelles de brochet André Terrail foie gras d’oie des trois empereurs, brioche au beurre salé crémeux de courgette et fenouil aux grains de Caviar Impérial de Sologne, blinis et condiments homard Don Carlos.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Never before 8pm unless a special occasion calls for it.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea in my garden whilst listening to classical music.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The ones I am not invited to and the Oktoberfest in Munich.
Who is the most positive person you know?
In a very strange way, my friend Marylin Manson.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Cooking for friends and drinking good wine.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Inspired by children’s books, something like: ‘Santa Claus lives’.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Ferrari 1967 330 GT 2+2. I always go full speed.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
Besides being an artist, I am a sharp entrepreneur and a passionate cook.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A drawing of the Virgin Mary carrying her child. I love old masters with their details and colours.
Hedi Ferjani is a Paris born artist whose work had been lauded by amongst other the Tate Modern, Marilyn Manson, Steven Meisel and Paolo Roversi.
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Hi, Hedi Ferjani,ciao! Homero.
I loved the time we were at the Chatueau Markmont and Hedi siad to a very famous and entitled actress: “My name is Hedi and you will do as a I say”