Support cause via art, instead of being ‘militant’, says digital artist Francis Bancon

There will never be enough nature and environment-themed art.

It is never enough because the destruction of nature continues. Awareness has improved over the years, but progress is still not in tandem with the damage already done.

Those in the creative industry have long been vocal about such issues, but as long as support from policymakers remains lukewarm, protecting the environment will continue to be mere lip service.

For French digital artist Francis Bancon, change in environmental protectionism does not need to happen immediately. He is more interested in people supporting and valuing the cause rather than being ‘militant’ about the struggle.

“I used to be militant about such matters. I was rigid. But as I grow older, I know the solution involves people at a very high level,” Bancon said.

“It involves lifestyle – a way of consuming, a way of producing. Policies or more than policies because it also involves execution,” added Bancon, whose first solo exhibition in Malaysia, titled ‘Nature in Exile’, is a stark reminder that mankind’s encroachment on nature heralds the end of beauty and truth.

“I am an artist, not a politician. Even though art is political, I am aware of limitations. There is a difference between what you think you can possibly do and what you can achieve by helping people move towards different directions.”

He said he uses the beauty in nature to drive people’s interest and appreciation.

“Beauty is something everyone can experience and make their own.”

Bancon said the new generation consumes images as part of reality, when images were once symbolic representations rather than reality itself.

“Now you talk to the young – they can’t tell the difference anymore.

“For instance, reading. Some don’t take the time to read anymore. They just use the shortcut of asking ChatGPT and getting the summary. When in reality, reading is not just stories but the experience.

“So these are the big changes that probably led to the different approach,” he said.

“If you want people to understand and appreciate what you do, you have to make some changes towards that without losing your personal touch and beliefs,” he explained, describing how he hopes to influence the public bit by bit.

According to Bancon, being an artist is not as easy as people think.

“It is always to question the world and societies. It compels one to love beauty in the world, both natural and human,” he said, adding that this is what he attempts with the Nature in Exile 2.0 series, which highlights nature and its existential threat from mankind.

“The idea for this series, Nature in Exile 2.0, came quite naturally as I was working on an earlier series titled ‘Fragmented Souls’ that dealt with issues of migration and displacement.

“Having spoken to the migrant community, I felt the underlying sense of loss, nostalgia and longing for the motherland – the home that no longer is. But when you think about it in terms of how mankind has encroached on our environment, in the name of progress we have become the conqueror, with nature banished to the background as a mere prop for our daily modern lives – hence the title Nature in Exile 2.0,” he said.

Bancon is concerned that one day, in a dystopian future, we risk seeing a generation that will only know trees, leaves and flowers as artefacts in enclosed spaces.

Bancon studied Art History, Philosophy and Science in France.

He had a successful career in the automotive sector with Renault–Nissan.

He served as chief futurist for the brand, leading the Nissan Exploratory team to design and develop concept cars previewed at major auto shows globally.

“I generally produce a series of images, each exploring a particular theme. This current exhibition focuses on nature and its suffering. I’ve also worked on themes relating to time, identity, the prevalence of social media and others,” Bancon said.

Nature in Exile 2.0 runs until Nov 16, 2025, at the Centre of Photographic Arts located at Kokopelli Templar, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.