Born in Western Africa in Dakar Senegal, Thierry Hennequin spent his youth in the middle of different African cultures. From an early age, he loved spending time woodcarving, working with his hands, fascinated by the beautiful and bold work of black African artists.  Later, when Thierry goes to pre-school in France he discovers the treasures held in most of the famous French museums.  His stay in Paris is short.  His high school years are spent in Oceania: the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia and New Polynesia as well as Australia and New Zealand.  These contacts with Melanesian and Polynesian cultures are also important, especially the exposure to the Paul Gaughin Museum in Papeete, Tahiti. The work of Gaughin brings him to Vincent Van Gogh and Alfred Millet. He studies painting on his own through books and museums and is very much influenced by Impressionists like Monet, Van Gogh, but also Cézanne, Matisse and later, Picasso. Thierry believes that an artist should truly find a harmony between his vision and his medium--one should always strive to bring "painting" to new heights, whether through new techniques or a new breed of colors. The many steps taken to reach this realm are the never ending struggle between Artist and his Work, between Man and his Life.