STARE
STARE is inspired by “stylewriting,” an urban artistic movement born on the east coast of the United States in the late ’60s. As an artist of calligraphy, he preserves the aesthetics of this movement all while pushing its habitual boundaries; presenting this contemporary art from a different perspective so that it can be discovered and appreciated by a wider audience.
In his works, glyphs are treated as autonomous entities that defy their usual structures. Sketches, textures, shadows, lines and outlines become fundamental elements of the composition. His works are inspired by the materials and textures of the structure in itself as well as the surrounding area’s luminosity, seeking to interact with the surrounding architecture. Sometimes, this is done through contrasts that enliven the public sphere, other times through a contextual approach that mindfully seeks balance. Use of public space as well as the dialogue between his pieces and passersby are an integral part of his artistic practice and his views on the democratization of art. The materials and techniques he use are always chosen to create long-lasting pieces that age well within their environment.
He created his first large-scale mural in 2007 as a trailblazer for the style in Montreal. He presented his first solo exhibition in 2013, Star d’un soir, all while participating in collective shows in Canada and abroad. This show sought to immortalize part of the ephemeral history of Montreal’s avant-garde public art scene. In his studio practice, architectural elements that habitually house his works are reproduced and integrated into his pieces. Concrete, plaster, brick and even vegetation are the mediums used to forge a connection between his paintings and the urban environment.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Sur paroles, 2024, Musée de la civilisation, Québec, Canada
Still Tho: Aesthetic Survival in Hip Hop’s Visual Art, 2023, Galerie Prince Takamado de l’Ambassade du Canada, Tokyo, Japon
Formats à Emporter, 2022, Galerie Institut National Art Contemporain, Montréal, Canada
Still Tho: Aesthetic Survival in Hip Hop’s Visual Art, 2022, Âjagemô, Canada council for the arts, Ottawa, Canada
Inside and Out, 2019, Peter Robertson Gallery, Edmonton, Canada
Le Futur, 2019, Le Livart, Montréal, Canada
Surface, 2018, Avenue des Artistes, Quartier Des Spectacles, Montréal, Canada.
Time is gold, 2018, Le Livart, Montréal, Canada
XL4, 2018, Musée d’Art Interculturel, Montréal, Canada
When the sun goes down, 2017, Arcade Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Magic & Deacy, 2017, Real Fresh Canvas gallery, Edmonton, Canada
Et après? 2016, Artgang, Montreal, Canada
De la ligne à l’abstraction, 2014, Galerie d’art Yves Laroche, Montréal, Canada.
Empreinte urbaine (S.O.S. racisme) 2011, Palais d’Iéna, Paris, France
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Teranga, 2022, Tudor Hall, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, Montréal, Canada
Star d’un Soir, 2013, Galerie d’art Yves Laroche, Montréal, Canada
PUBLIC ART
Lightkeeper, Hors Les Murs, 2023, Brest, France
Teranga, 2022, Dagana, Sénégal. Association Morgane et ASEM (Association des écoles modernes du Sénégal)
Ahead, Festival Bump, 2021, Calgary, Canada
La porte de l’est, 2019, Montréal, Canada. Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal par le gouvernement du Québec et la Ville de Montréal
Convergence, 2019, Montréal, Canada.
Festival Mural, 2018, Montréal, Canada
The WallRiors Festival, 2017, Kaohsiung, Taïwan
Rust Magic Festival, 2017, Edmonton, Canada
Cap tourmente 2016, Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal par le gouvernement du Québec et la Ville de Montréal
Balance, Haut Contraste et Providence, 2015, Montréal, Canada. Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal par le gouvernement du Québec et la Ville de Montréal
Sans titre, 2015, Montréal, Canada,
Festival Cosmopolite, 2010, Paris, France
Festival La Mostra, 2002, Santo André, Brésil, Office Québec-Amériques