At the January 2017 Salon Maison et Objet, Image Republic will
be presenting the eponymous collection from the book, “Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?” by Diane Ratican. The illustrations within take us to key places in the cities of Paris and Los Angeles
and are the work of two illustrators, Frenchman Eric Giriat and American Nick Lu.
A 100% French company, Image Republic has been publishing works by famous press and newspaper illustrators for 5 years. We collaborate with influential, world-renowned artists, and offer
unusual, powerful and enlightening images… Our collections are exclusive; our prints are certified.
Each illustration is hand-mounted in the traditional way in our Parisian ateliers.
Our network of over 500 international sales points includes major department stores, museum shops, and designer boutiques and bookshops (Harrods, Conran Shop, Merci, Colette, MoMA, La
Librairie du Bon Marché…)
Image Republic prints are easily portable; whether mounted or printed on Velin d’Arches paper, each is presented in a personalized sleeve and is ready to frame.
Diane Ratican received her bachelor of arts degree in History and Sociology from the University of California Berkeley, and then earned her master of arts degree in Sociology and Education from UCLA. She started her career educating gifted children, and then moved on to become a risk-taking entrepreneur. This background uniquely prepared her to engage in this latest endeavor, as writer, conjuror of images, and artistic director. Her vision of art telling a story comes from her innate creativity and her talent as a collector and curator of art. To her, educating is communicating, and that is what she strives for in Why LA, pourquoi Paris? Sharing her enchantment with, and knowledge
of, both Los Angeles and Paris has become a complex project with all the depth and nuances of a richly textured tapestry. Her drive is what has navigated her through this process.
Nick Lu is a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a degree in illustration. Nick is currently living in Los Angeles and working as an illustrator. Nick spends most of his time dreaming up interesting, eclectic things for his clients; notable clients include the New Yorker, Wired, Boston Globe, PlanSponsor, Bloomberg View, Hohe Luft magazine, Playboy Jazz, Poketo, Riney Advertising, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing.
Beginning with serial illustrations for the French edition of ELLE magazine in 1996, Eric Giriat has since flooded the magazine, advertising, and book publishing industries in many fields internationally, from fashion to economics, politics, psychology, children’s books, interior design, the luxury industry, culture, and portraits. He also works with fashion and product design, designing T-shirt and pullover motifs for JOOP! (a German company); pillows, giant stickers, and pareos (wrap-around skirts) for Dona Fusion (a Brazilian company); Cognac bottle design for Hennessy, and a biodegradable carry bag for La Grande Epicerie de Paris.
