The exhibition entitled Traits d’Union narrates the story of breaking free from the constraints that graffiti rules impose on its aesthetics, often leading to monotony and predictability. Michael Eveno ‘Grems’ has always embarked on an artistic journey fueled by curiosity, which in turn sparks creativity and innovation. In his quest to liberate graffiti from its confining aesthetics, the artist introduces contemporary perspectives to the movement.
This curious exploration unfolds in a multi-layered exhibition, subtly yet distinctly narrating the story of graffiti and its aesthetic reflections and variations. Essentially, the artist’s mission revolves around the deconstruction and reconstruction of graffiti’s inherent reflexes. These reflexes, which once unified graffiti but also rendered it uniform and uninspired, have long confined its creative potential. For instance, a typical graffiti often features repetitive lettering adorned with arrows and a common background or filling. The artist’s approach is to deconstruct, invert and reconstruct these well-worn graffiti tropes, liberating them from their customary context to arrive at a more contemporary outcome. Each reflex is meticulously examined and reimagined as independent exercises on canvas, paper, wooden collages, tapestries, and captivating sculptures.
„ Je fais des traits.“
Michaël Eveno ‘GREMS’, 2023.
A significant facet of Michael Eveno ‘Grems’ journey lies in the fusion of music and art. Beginning with a background rooted in Hip-hop, where graffiti and rap coexist, the artist’s career has traversed diverse terrain. After earning a degree in fine arts in Bordeaux, the artist specialized in illustration for over 14 years, collaborating with renowned brands like Nike, Adidas, Ratp, Scott, Swatch, Ascics, and more. However, in 2017, the artist transitioned from illustration back to painting, returning to an earlier love for abstract painting. This shift marked a transformation from being a craftsman responding to specific commissions to fully embracing the role of a visual artist. Today, he build a commercial identity know as Grems Industry as well as a solely artistic identity Michael Eveno ‘Grems’. The artist seamlessly weaves various mediums and crafts into his artistic multiverse, challenging conventions and blurring boundaries.
Michael Eveno ‘Grems’ is an enthusiast of abstract painting, finding profound inspiration in the works of iconic figures such as Cy Twombly, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and the abstract expressionists. Influenced by Kurt Schwitters’ collage techniques and deeply captivated by the artistry of African Ndebele art, the artist’s creative journey has also been shaped by the world of graffiti, particularly through encounters with the works of Büro Destruct and House Industrie.
These diverse influences converge in the artist’s work, resulting in an artistic expression that transcends conventional boundaries, blending elements of abstraction and collage, while resonating with the rich traditions of African art and the vibrant aesthetics of graffiti.
Tania Di Brita
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Av. de Beauregard 1
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Switzerland
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