Artist: Chanoir

Alberto Vejarano a.k.a. Chanoir, is a Paris-based artist, born in 1976 in Bogotá. Internationally known for the energy and optimism of his graffiti, Chanoir works with a universal visual language, based on the belief that art and artists are positive change agents. In the mid-90s, under the influence of pioneering artists such as Keith Haring or the Parisian André, he decided to use spray paint as a mean of expression.

Chanoir's work, which is born from the fusion of Pop Art and Free Figuration, draws on knowledge of Art history and is nourished by popular humor, childhood memories and a sense of contemporary aesthetics. The artist develops a graphic style marked by bright colors, one-dimensional planes and figures with simplified and immediate shapes, typical characteristics of logos and labels.

As a cat lover, Chanoir named himself in reference to Steinlen's poster: "Le Cabaret du Chat Noir" (the black cat cabaret). Naive in style and always expressive, his cats communicate their emotions. His father, Gustavo Vejarano, an esoteric artist, transmitted him his beliefs; art is a transmission of energy, whose goal is to entertain and play with the viewer.

His works have been exhibited in galleries over the world and sold at the most prestigious auction houses (Artcurial, Drouot), leading him to work with big brands such as Samsung, Emanuel Ungaro, Cacharel, Ubisoft for Just Dance, and Disney. In 2019, he was named a Knight of Arts and Letters in France.

«Chanoir is the only Western collector/artist who has preserved in his work the primordial vision of his messy room (after Ben)» J-M. Alberola.