Artist Playground 10 x Céline Masson

A face can hold more than one story. In Céline Masson’s portraits, layers of vintage Japanese manga sit beneath bold colour and expressive features. Look closer and the stories begin to overlap, revealing the imperfection, mystery and vulnerability that draw her to a face.

The Art of Becoming with Céline Masson

Colors of Asia brings the work of French artist Céline Masson to Pullman Artist Playground #10 at Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach.

A self-taught French artist based in Phuket, Céline draws on years of living in Asia and a close interest in its people and culture. She begins each canvas with Japanese manga, then paints expressive portraits over its fragments of image and text. Bold colours and rich textures give her subjects a playful presence, with strength and vulnerability often sharing the same face.

Céline finds subjects in nature and in the faces around her. Her invitation to the viewer asks us to pause. “We just need to slow down – open our eyes and minds.” Spending a little longer with a portrait lets its layers, expressions and small details come into view.

Céline became a full-time artist in 2020 and held her first exhibition at Pullman Artist Playground in 2021. For Céline, making art is a source of joy and a way to express how she sees and feels the world.

A returning artist at Pullman

Céline’s connection with Artist Playground began with Artist Playground #5, Beauties of Shadows, her first public exhibition of portraits inspired by Asian people and culture. The collection introduced the manga backgrounds and bold female portraits that remain part of her work today.

She returned for Artist Playground #7, The Art of Beauty, exploring femininity, resilience and the passing nature of physical beauty alongside contributions from Aiila and Touche Bangkok. Butterflies and flowers helped frame a conversation about the individuality and strength of women.

With The Art of Becoming – Colors of Asia, the tenth edition continues Céline’s exploration of the emotions and stories carried by a face. Visitors who know her earlier exhibitions can follow that thread into the twelve paintings in the current collection.

Meet the women in Colors of Asia

The collection introduces twelve original works, each with its own name and story. Ao Mi, or “blue beauty,” pairs a vivid blue bob with blue lips and a face traced with manga imagery. Tomoe explores “Life Is a Carnival,” while Butterfly Effect reflects on the beauty we can see in others and sometimes struggle to recognise in ourselves.

These mixed-media works on canvas are signed by Céline and come with a certificate of authenticity. Browse the digital catalogue to discover all twelve paintings, their stories, dimensions and prices.

Explore the Collection

Art that gives back

A painting chosen in Phuket can become part of everyday life long after the journey home. It might catch your eye over morning coffee or start a conversation with someone visiting for the first time. With Céline’s collection, choosing a work also contributes to a story taking shape here in Thailand. A portion of the proceeds from artwork sales supports the Pimali Foundation.

In Nong Khai, in Thailand’s northeast, Pimali provides practical hospitality training for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those who have grown up in orphanages. Students learn through doing, developing skills in the kitchen, restaurant service and housekeeping before putting their training into practice through hotel internships. The programme helps them prepare for employment and work towards greater financial independence.

Giving back has been part of Céline’s earlier Artist Playground exhibitions, and it continues with The Art of Becoming – Colors of Asia. As a painting finds its place in a new home, part of its sale helps support young people preparing to find their own place in the working world.

To ask about a painting, explore the collection or arrange worldwide shipping, contact Céline directly.

Follow @celinemassonart to discover more of Céline’s work.