Astrée Lhermitte Soka is a French artist whose journey spans several disciplines, from graphic design to painting and cinema makeup. Daughter of actor Thierry Lhermitte and Hélène Aubert, she has built her artistic trajectory away from the spotlight, prioritizing creative work over family notoriety.
Education at the Savannah College of Art and Design: an American grounding
Astrée Lhermitte Soka’s journey begins with a geographical choice that immediately sets her apart. Rather than following a traditional curriculum in France, she joins the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, USA. This school, recognized for its programs in visual arts and design, allows her to obtain degrees in graphic design and illustration.
This passage through the American educational system is not trivial. It marks an immersion in an artistic environment different from what she would have found in Parisian schools. After her studies, she stays in New York for three years, where she works as a graphic designer.
This American period has shaped an approach to artistic work that emphasizes versatility. Those who wish to learn more about Astrée Lhermitte Soka will find the milestones of this training reflected in the various facets of her current production.
From graphic design to cinema makeup: rare transitions in the artistic field
What stands out in Astrée Lhermitte Soka’s journey is the nature of the professional transitions she makes. Moving from graphic design to cinema makeup is not a natural shift. These two professions require distinct technical skills: the former involves visual composition on digital or printed media, while the latter demands mastery of materials, textures, and working on a living face.
Few artists combine graphic design and professional makeup in the same career path. This trajectory suggests a curiosity that goes beyond the confines of a single specialization. Cinema makeup, in particular, places the artist in a context of close collaboration with directors and actors, a world Astrée was familiar with through her family environment without ever having practiced in front of the camera.
The decision to leave this profession to turn to painting marks a new turning point. The available data does not allow for a precise dating of this transition, but it signifies a return to a solitary practice after years in service roles (graphic design for clients, makeup for productions).
Astrée Lhermitte Soka as a painter: thematic series accompanied by texts
Astrée Lhermitte Soka’s painting is not limited to isolated canvases hung in galleries. Her personal website reveals a practice organized into thematic series, each accompanied by texts where intimate storytelling and reflection on language occupy a central place.
Among her identified works, there are series with evocative titles:
- Doux-sœur, which explores familial or emotional bonds through painting
- Les robes porte-bonheur, where clothing becomes a medium for memory and visual storytelling
- Hexagone exigu, a title that plays on geography and the feeling of confinement or belonging
This way of working in series, articulating image and writing, distinguishes her approach from mere pictorial production. The text is not an afterthought; it is an integral part of the artistic project, bringing her work closer to a hybrid form between visual arts and personal literature.
Discreet artist and famous lineage: a deliberate balance
Most articles dedicated to Astrée Lhermitte Soka approach her through the lens of her father, Thierry Lhermitte. This perspective, understandable from a media standpoint, masks a deliberate choice on her part.
Her personal website highlights only her work, without reference to her father’s career or the Lhermitte name as a point of notoriety. This stance contrasts with the usual functioning of the French artistic scene, where familial ties to personalities often serve as leverage for visibility, whether to secure exhibitions or gain media coverage.
In contrast, celebrity media (Gala, Voici, Melty) continue to structure their articles around the question “what is Thierry Lhermitte’s daughter up to?”. This gap between how Astrée presents herself and how she is discussed illustrates a recurring tension for the children of famous artists: lineage remains the primary filter of perception, even when the work exists independently.
A broader artistic family heritage
Astrée’s family environment extends beyond her actor father. The Lhermitte family includes her ancestors, the painter Léon Lhermitte, a figure of French naturalism, as well as neurologists Jean Lhermitte and François Lhermitte. This lineage intertwines art and science, providing perspective on Astrée’s multidisciplinary path.
Her sister Louise (known as Lonny) and her brother Victor complete this sibling group. Astrée is also the mother of a daughter named Alice, born from her relationship with N. Soka.
Independent dissemination of Astrée Lhermitte Soka’s art: a counter-current model
Astrée Lhermitte Soka’s choice to disseminate her work primarily through her own website, without going through the traditional circuit of media-covered galleries, raises an interesting question about artistic dissemination models.
In a context where visibility on social media and contemporary art fairs largely conditions an artist’s recognition, opting for a discreet and controlled online presence constitutes a deliberate positioning. This choice comes at a cost: less media exposure, fewer potential sales through traditional channels.
Field feedback varies on the effectiveness of this type of strategy for a contemporary artist. Some see it as a form of authenticity that enhances the perceived value of the work. Others argue that an artist who does not engage in promotion deprives themselves of an audience that could appreciate their work.
Astrée Lhermitte Soka’s journey, from New York graphic design to painting in series accompanied by texts, outlines a trajectory where each step has nourished the next. Versatility here is not scattering but an accumulation of visual languages that converge into a singular pictorial practice, built distanced from the conveniences that a famous name could have offered.
